Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease Combined with IgA Nephropathy Complicated with Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome: An Unusual Case

BACKGROUND Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (anti-GBM disease) is an autoimmune glomerulonephritis disease that is characterized by IgG linear deposition along the non-collagen domain of a3 chains of type IV collagen on the GBM. Although anti-GBM disease accompanied with IgA linear deposition along GBMs was discussed previously in some papers, anti-GBM disease combined with IgA granular deposition in the mesangial area, especially complicated with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS), was rarely reported. RPLS is usually caused by hypertensive encephalopathy, renal decompensation, fluid retention, and adverse effects of immunosuppressive drugs. CASE REPORT A male patient with the chief complaints of headache, gross hematuria, and nocturia was referred to our hospital. Based on renal biopsy, the diagnosis was finally confirmed as anti-GBM disease combined with IgA nephropathy and, the patient received comprehensive treatment, including cyclophosphamide (CTX), which led to symptom improvement. Two days after the third impulse CTX was given, he suddenly experienced headache and dizziness, which eventually developed into a tonic-clonic seizure. RPLS was identified by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with reversible neuroimaging. After diazepam and antihypertension management, seizures were controlled. RPLS, a neurological complication, was found in anti-GBM disease with IgA nephropathy during our immunosuppressants therapy for the first time. CONCLUSIONS It is worth paying more attention to patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN), as they might be complicated with RPLS during intravenous administration of CTX and methylprednisolone. We suggest the neuroimaging be examined as soon as the seizure happens.