Renal diagnosis without renal biopsy. Nephritis and sensorineural deafness

Two examples of hereditary nephropathy within the context of clinical syndr omes are described, Emphasis is put on the ability to make a renal diagnosi s without renal biopsy and the benefits of screening relatives once a diagn osis is achieved. A variant of Alport's syndrome with associated macrothrom bocytic thrombocytopenia, known as Epstein's syndrome, is reported. In addi tion siblings with Alstroms syndrome characterized by pigmentary retinal de generation (causing blindness in early childhood), progressive sensorineura l hearing loss, and progressive renal failure are reported, Both cases had previously presented for non-renal pathology in advance of the onset of sym ptomatic renal failure and may have benefited from appropriate screening.