Idiopathic crescentic membranous glomerulonephritis.

A case of idiopathic crescentic membranous glomerulonephritis is reported. In addition to the present case, eight cases of this type of glomerulonephritis reported in the literature are reviewed. This is an uncommon form of glomerulonephritis, seen in middle age and in both sexes. Clinical presentation is similar to idiopathic membranous nephropathy. Lupus and antiglomerular-basement membrane nephritis should be excluded by serological tests. Prognosis is grave, resulting in end-stage renal failure (ESRD) within a year in most patients. There is no specific therapy known to alter the course of the disease. In this patient, short courses of high-dose corticosteroids, administered during flares of glomerulonephritis, seemed to improve renal function.