38
Views
3
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Thickening of Glomerular Capillary Walls: A Guide to Differential Diagnosis by Electron Microscopy

, &
Pages 123-143 | Accepted 07 Jun 1982, Published online: 10 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Thickening of capillary walls is a feature of many glomerular diseases. Widening of the wall may be produced by deposits and other changes affecting either subepithelial and subendothelial regions or the glomerular basement membrane itself. Careful light microscopic examination using special stains can distinguish some patterns of capillary wall thickening, but electron microscopy is needed to demonstrate most lesions clearly. In this brief review, a guide to the major causes for capillary wall thickening is discussed, using a simple classification, and some of the patterns are illustrated. Precise delineation of the capillary wall changes in glomerular diseases is important to insure accurate classification and a clear understanding of pathogenetic mechanisms.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.