Neuroblastoma presenting with the nephrotic syndrome.

A case of neuroblastoma in a 4-yr-old boy presenting with the nephrotic syndrome is reported. Nether thrombosis nor stenosis of the renal veins and the inferior vena cava was present. Electron microscopy revealed lumps of subepithelial deposits as well as thickening and tortuosity of the glomerular basement membrane compatible with membranous nephropathy. It is postulated that deposition of neuroblastoma-associated immune complexes on the glomerular basement membrane-was responsible for the development of the nephrotic syndrome in this patient. Five pediatric cases of nephrotic syndrome associated with extrarenal neoplasia were collected from the world literature and are briefly discussed.