Reversible renal failure in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

A Chinese patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) developed acute nonoliguric renal failure with intercurrent urinary tract infection a nd hemolysis. There was no evidence of renal vein thrombosis. Renal biopsy showed features of acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and hemosiderosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed characteristic features of renal hemosidero sis. The patient was stabilized with temporary hemodialysis and intravenous fluid. The renal function fully recovered 3 weeks later. We review the lit erature and summarize the clinical features of this disease entity. To our knowledge, this case is the first to report such disorder with thorough inv estigation including concomitant diagnostic MRI imaging and renal biopsy. ( C) 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.