Thymoma and minimal-change glomerulonephritis

The association of minimal-change glomerulonephritis with lymphoproliferative processes is well recognised [1], and there have been three reported cases in patients having had a thymoma [2-4]. In addition thymoma has been described in association with nephrotic syndrome that resulted from membranous glomerulonephritis [5]. We report a further case of minimal-change disease associated with thymoma, the nephrotic presentation occurring some 15 months after thymectomy, at which time there was no overt evidence of recurrence of the tumour. The case lends more support to the theory that Tcell mediated processes are implicit in the pathogenesis of minimal-change glomerulonephritis [6], and the literature is reviewed.