A woman with recurrent hematuria: a diagnostic challenge in Egypt

Abstract

Objectives Thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) or benign familial hematuria is common in women. The median age is 37 years among adults. About two-third of the patients with TBMD have at least one other hematuric family member when five relatives are tested. Case report We hereby present a case of adult TBMD to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of the disease in 56-year-old woman with long-standing intermittent dark colored urine with proteinuria, normal serum creatinine, and with normal blood pressure. Renal pathology showed normal renal tissue by using the light and immunofluorescence examination. Thinning of the glomerular basement membrane, ranging from 110 to 200 nm, was demonstrated by using electron microscopy. Conclusion Although it is part of routine nephropathology worldwide, electron microscopic examination of renal biopsies are rarely used in Egypt. This important diagnostic pillar should be more frequently used among our patients, especially when clinicopathologic diagnosis is unclear.