Renal Pathology

The Renal Pathology Laboratory of the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology specializes in the diagnosis of medical diseases of the kidney. The practice of nephropathology centers on the diverse nonneoplastic kidney disorders affecting the glomerular, tubulo-interstitial, and vascular compartments.

The laboratory is one of the largest of its kind in the country and processes approximately 5,000 kidney biopsies per year, including native and allograft biopsies from 13 states. Renal biopsies are evaluated routinely by the three modalities of light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy. Tissue studies for disease biomarkers are performed in selected cases. Genetic analysis is available upon request through referral to the Glomerular Center of Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). The laboratory is considered a national center of excellence in renal biopsy interpretation and is frequently requested to consult on difficult cases from outside institutions. Routine biopsy practice always includes a phone discussion with the referring nephrologist to convey information about pathologic findings, clinical correlations, prognostic features, and treatment options.

The laboratory is staffed by seven full-time renal pathologists, with 14 dedicated laboratory technologists providing highly skilled technical support.

In addition to diagnostic renal pathology, the laboratory is actively involved in clinical-pathologic and translational research studies. Major areas of interest include focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, lupus nephritis, infection-related glomerulonephritis, C3 glomerulopathy, monoclonal immunoglobulin-associated kidney diseases, and drug toxicities. Faculty members participate in NIH-sponsored basic research into the major glomerular causes of nephrosis, diabetic nephropathy, HIV-associated kidney disease, acute tubular injury, and de novo and recurrent glomerular diseases in the allograft, among others. The laboratory has hosted international consensus conferences on the classification of lupus nephritis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

For 48 years, the Renal Pathology Laboratory has run an annual postgraduate CME course entitled "The Columbia Renal Biopsy Course". Given jointly with the Division of Nephrology, the course provides a comprehensive review and update of the major diagnostic entities in nephropathology, with emphasis on clinical correlations and pathogenesis. It is attended by approximately 750 international registrants annually and is the longest-running CME course at CUIMC.

The laboratory hosts a popular weekly in-house renal biopsy conference as well as many regional conferences at referring centers in the tristate area. These conferences provide in-depth case-based learning for CUIMC’s nephrology fellows and attendings, as well as ongoing continuing medical education to referring nephrologists.

The Renal Pathology Laboratory has a longstanding renal pathology fellowship program offering one year of specialty training. Fellowship trainees are highly sought for positions at major academic centers in the U.S. and abroad.