Four years have passed since the nutshell was first published. During this time there has been new development in the field of Nephrology worth mentioning in a 2nd edition.
For example, the diagnosis of idiopathic membranous nephropathy is greatly facilitated by the discovery of new auto-antibodies. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies were applied in infection-associated HUS, and Wegener’s granulomatosis has been renamed.
Ulf Schönermarck is now the first author, reflecting the changes at my former Nephrology Unit. New contributing author is Michael Fischereder, who succeeded Walter Samtleben as the Head of the Division of Nephrology at the University Hospital of Munich- Grosshadern.
The brief but comprehensive format of the 1st edition has been kept, since it has proven to be very useful in daily nephrological practice by allowing rapid access to essential information.