5. Phthisis renalis (caseation)

Organ: Kidney

Phthisis renalis front

Description:

The kidney is largely unrecognizable, however the ureter on the back confirms the organ. From the side we can see that the kidney is basically hollow. The parenchyme has been replaced by a large cavity.

Diagnosis: Phtisis renalis

Causes:

• Post-primary endogenous reactivation tuberculosis

Theory:

This preparation is best understood during the inflammation chapter.

The word phtisis means wasting away. In this condition the mycobacterium tuberculosis has infected the kidneys via the circulation. This causes caseous necrosis of the kidney parenchyme, which eventually destroys the whole parenchyme and leaves just a big cavity.

Note that we cannot actually see the caseous necrosis, just the end result of it.

From the side. You can see how the parenchyme isn’t even there.