Multisystem diseases and the kidney

Abstract

The finding of microscopic haematuria in patients with non-specific symptoms, signs and laboratory findings may point to a multisystem disorder A normal plasma creatinine concentration does not exclude significant renal disease Kidney involvement is common in small vessel vasculitis and provides an accessible organ from which to make a specific tissue diagnosis Cholesterol crystal embolisation may mimic many of the features of small vessel vasculitis but can be distinguished histologically.