37245 - Nephrology 2

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the student with the theoretical and practical knowledge of the main acute and chronic nephropathies, primary and secondary to systemic diseases.
The course includes an initial part dedicated to an anatomical-pathological recall and to the clinical and instrumental approach of the diagnostic pathways, subsequently it examines the main nephropathies outlining their pathogenesis, the clinical picture and histopathological characterization. The diagnostic aspect is treated, including the possible differential diagnoses, and hints of therapy are introduced.
At the end of the course the student will have the knowledge relating to the pathways of acute kidney disease and acute kidney injury including the basics of conservative and replacement therapy.

Course contents

Recall of anatomy and physiology

Nephrological semeiotics (clinical, laboratory tests, imaging diagnostics, renal biopsy)

Water balance and pathological conditions, acid-base and electrolyte balance disorders

Glomerular nephropathies: clinical presentation and pathogenetic mechanisms with insights into nephritic and nephrotic syndromes

Minimal change GN, focal sclerosing GN, membranous GN

Post streptococcal/post infectious GN, IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative GN, and complement-related glomerulopathies

Rapidly progressive GN and ANCA-related vasculitides

Secondary glomerular nephropathies: Lupus nephritis, Diabetic nephropathy, Glomerulopathies in the course of multiple myeloma and/or Amyloidosis, Glomerulopathies in the course of Cryoglobulinemia

Thrombotic microangiopathy and haemolytic uremic syndrome

Acute kidney injury (AKI), pathophysiology and main clinical pictures: pre-renal, organic and post-renal forms

Hereditary nephropathies: Adult polycystic disease and other cystic nephropathies, Alport syndrome, Fabry disease

Interstitial nephropathies: acute and chronic pyelonephritis, analgesic and immuno-allergic nephropathies

Kidney changes during pregnancy

Renovascular hypertension, renal infarction, atheroembolic nephropathy

Chronic kidney disease: epidemiology, and staging; progression of renal failure; main clinical alterations in the conservative phase and in the uremic phase including bone-mineral disease.

Conservative therapy including the nutritional aspect

Dialysis replacement therapy (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis)

Kidney transplant

Readings/Bibliography

Harrison, Principi di medicina interna, 20ª ed., Milano, CEA Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2021 (o 21a edizione in inglese)

Garibotto-Pontremoli, Manuale di Nefrologia, ed Minerva Medica

Per consultazione: Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology, R. J. Johnson; J. Feehally; J. Floege; M. Tonelli, Elsevier Ed.

Teaching methods

Lectures and interaction with students

Assessment methods

Three oral exam sessions

Teaching tools

Updated material (pdf format)

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Buscaroli