Myeloma cast nephropathy

{{Infobox medical condition (new) | name = Myeloma cast nephropathy | synonyms = Cast nephropathy | image = Cast nephropathy - 2 cropped - very high mag.jpg | caption = Micrograph of myeloma cast nephropathy. Myelomatous casts are PAS negative (left of image). Hyaline casts are PAS positive (right of image). PAS stain. Kidney biopsy. | pronounce = | field = Nephrology | symptoms = | complications = | onset = | duration = | types = | causes = | risks = | diagnosis = | differential = | prevention = | treatment = | medication = | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }}

'''Myeloma cast nephropathy''', also referred to as '''light-chain cast nephropathy''', is the formation of plugs (urinary casts) in the kidney tubules from free immunoglobulin light chains leading to kidney failure in the context of multiple myeloma. It is the most common cause of kidney injury in myeloma.<ref name="comp">{{cite book |title=Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology |date=2019 |publisher=Elsevier |pages=767–775 |edition=6}}</ref>

In myeloma cast nephropathy, filtered κ or λ light chains that bind to Tamm-Horsfall protein precipitate in the kidney's tubules. Hypercalcemia and low fluid intake contribute to the development of casts.<ref>{{cite book |title=Pocket Companion to Brenner and Rector's The Kidney |url=https://archive.org/details/pocketcompaniont00mbmi |url-access=limited |date=2010 |publisher=Elsevier |pages=[https://archive.org/details/pocketcompaniont00mbmi/page/n222 250]-284 |edition=8}}</ref>

Myeloma cast nephropathy is considered to be a medical emergency because if untreated, it leads to irreversible kidney failure.<ref name=comp/>

It is diagnosed by histological examination of kidney biopsy.<ref name=comp/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Nephrology