Dirty USMLE Mnemonics for Glomerular Diseases

Medical students can utilize Dirty USMLE mnemonics to quickly master complex renal pathologies. These notes provide a high-yield overview of various conditions and their diagnostic characteristics.

Rapidly Progressive and Post-Streptococcal Conditions

When studying Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, remember the phrase Rapidly "Crescentic" crescent=loop=lupus. Furthermore, it is important to note that Rapidly diffuse= difflupus.

For Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, the rule of 3's applies: 3's decreased C3 Type 3 Hypersenstivity lumpy, bumpy 3 weeks after strep.

Syndromes and Histological Patterns

Regarding Goodpasture syndrome, the mnemonic is Goodpasture=2-pasture Type 2 hypersensitivity involves 2 organs; lungs, kidney. This pathology is associated with AB vs. Type 3 collagen linear disposition. In contrast, Alport syndrome is summarized as Al-4= 4 organs; lungs, kidneys, ear, eye.

Specific histological patterns for other diseases include:

• Membranous glomerulonephritis - spike and dome hep b and c
• Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis - tram-track (train) proliferative (fast) fast train
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - FSG=HIV

Quick Reference Table of Mnemonics