ABSTRACT
Epithelial tissues are replaced, surrounded or infiltrated by inert fibrous tissue in the anonymous end stage condition. Abnormal fibrosis is the common denominator in all end-stage disease. The ancient Greeks appeared, from the legend of Prometheus, to know that the liver has extraordinary powers of regeneration. According to this legend, Prometheus angered Zeus by handing over the gift of fire to mankind. End stage kidney disease is characterised by the formation of shrunken, scarred kidneys, a relatively common autopsy finding. There are three principal sites for the injury that may precipitate renal failure: the blood supply, the glomeruli and the tubulo-interstitium. In tubulointerstitial disease, the focus of inflammation is upon the interstitial connective tissue and the renal tubules. There are multiple causes, including repeated bacterial infection, obstruction of renal outflow and analgesic abuse with associated papillary necrosis.
