The significance of extracapillary proliferation. Clinicopathological review of 60 patients.

Renal biopsy and clinical data from 60 patients with extracapillary proliferation (crescent formation) in greater than or equal to 50% of glomeruli were correlated. Nephropathy was related to infection (15 cases) malignancy (4 cases) and trichlorethylene exposure (2 cases). Isolated proteinuria was found 0.5-20 years before biopsy in 16 patients. Outcome was significantly related to percentage of crescentic involvement. Oligoanuria and impaired function at presentation were bad prognostic signs but preceding infection was favourable. Diverse histological and immunofluorescent findings indicate that extracapillary glomerulonephritis is not a single entity. The clinical course is not always rapidly progressive.