What is the diagnosis for a patient with Goodpasture's (Goodpasture's) syndrome presenting with hemoptysis and biopsy-confirmed crescent-shaped inflammatory lesions, indicative of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (GN)?

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Differential Diagnosis for Goodpasture Syndrome with Haemoptysis and Crescentic Lesions

  • Single most likely diagnosis:
    • Rapidly progressive GN (RPGN): This is the most likely diagnosis given the patient's symptoms of haemoptysis, which is a common presentation of Goodpasture syndrome, and the biopsy findings of crescent-shaped inflammatory lesions. RPGN is characterized by a rapid decline in renal function and is often associated with crescentic glomerulonephritis, which is consistent with the biopsy results.
  • Other Likely diagnoses:
    • Acute GN: While less likely than RPGN, acute glomerulonephritis (GN) could also present with haemoptysis and renal inflammation. However, the presence of crescentic lesions and the rapid progression of symptoms make RPGN a more likely diagnosis.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
    • Pulmonary-renal syndromes (e.g., ANCA-associated vasculitis): Although Goodpasture syndrome is already diagnosed, other pulmonary-renal syndromes could present similarly and have a high mortality rate if not promptly treated. It's essential to consider these diagnoses to ensure appropriate management.
  • Rare diagnoses:
    • Nephrotic syndrome: This diagnosis is less likely given the patient's symptoms of haemoptysis and the biopsy findings of crescentic lesions, which are more characteristic of nephritic syndromes like RPGN.
    • Minimal change disease: This condition typically presents with nephrotic syndrome and is characterized by minimal glomerular changes on light microscopy, making it an unlikely diagnosis in this case.

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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