Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report

Abstract Background Renal cystic diseases are one of the commonest renal lesions encountered in clinical practice. Although common, most of the cysts are solitary, benign, asymptomatic and seldom clinically significant. But, renal lymphangiectasia is an exception. These are rare lymphatic malformati...

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Main Authors: Navaneethakrishnan Venkatachalam, Anandan Murugesan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-01-01
Series:African Journal of Urology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-023-00399-7
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author Navaneethakrishnan Venkatachalam
Anandan Murugesan
author_facet Navaneethakrishnan Venkatachalam
Anandan Murugesan
author_sort Navaneethakrishnan Venkatachalam
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Renal cystic diseases are one of the commonest renal lesions encountered in clinical practice. Although common, most of the cysts are solitary, benign, asymptomatic and seldom clinically significant. But, renal lymphangiectasia is an exception. These are rare lymphatic malformation seen around the kidneys and in the retroperitoneum. It masquerades clinically like ADPKD and renal tumors and radiologically like a complex renal cyst. Although the cyst is benign, it possesses a significant impact on the quality of life. Because of its rarity, the management of this condition has not been well defined in the literature. A clinician must be aware of this rare condition and able to differentiate it from other similar conditions to aid in appropriate management. Hence, we present a case report of a female with bilateral renal lymphangiectasia managed successfully by laparoscopic excision. Case presentation A 34-year-old hypertensive female came with complaints of bilaterally progressive flank masses for 3 months and breathlessness for 2 weeks. On examination, she had bilateral pitting pedal edema, bilateral palpable renal mass and ascites. She had nephrotic range proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and normal renal function. Imaging showed 22-cm bilateral peri-renal and hilar multi-loculated cystic lesions, suggestive of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia. Antihypertensives and percutaneous interventions were not successful in relieving her symptoms. Subsequently, she was managed with laparoscopic excision on both sides. After surgery, she had an uneventful postoperative period and good symptomatic relief. No recurrence of the lesion found in follow-up CT imaging after 18 months. Conclusions Renal lymphangiectasia is a rare yet clinically significant cystic lesion of the kidney. It can be diagnosed confidently by noninvasive imaging modalities. Medical treatment offered for mild symptomatic disease. Patients with severe symptoms need surgical intervention especially if it is not responding to medical management. Minimal invasive approach is feasible and successful in the management of this voluminous disease.
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spelling doaj.art-de0f699bfe064ba7a30f61bbf99f77962024-01-07T12:31:54ZengSpringerOpenAfrican Journal of Urology1961-99872024-01-013011410.1186/s12301-023-00399-7Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case reportNavaneethakrishnan Venkatachalam0Anandan Murugesan1Kovai Medical Center and HospitalKovai Medical Center and HospitalAbstract Background Renal cystic diseases are one of the commonest renal lesions encountered in clinical practice. Although common, most of the cysts are solitary, benign, asymptomatic and seldom clinically significant. But, renal lymphangiectasia is an exception. These are rare lymphatic malformation seen around the kidneys and in the retroperitoneum. It masquerades clinically like ADPKD and renal tumors and radiologically like a complex renal cyst. Although the cyst is benign, it possesses a significant impact on the quality of life. Because of its rarity, the management of this condition has not been well defined in the literature. A clinician must be aware of this rare condition and able to differentiate it from other similar conditions to aid in appropriate management. Hence, we present a case report of a female with bilateral renal lymphangiectasia managed successfully by laparoscopic excision. Case presentation A 34-year-old hypertensive female came with complaints of bilaterally progressive flank masses for 3 months and breathlessness for 2 weeks. On examination, she had bilateral pitting pedal edema, bilateral palpable renal mass and ascites. She had nephrotic range proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and normal renal function. Imaging showed 22-cm bilateral peri-renal and hilar multi-loculated cystic lesions, suggestive of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia. Antihypertensives and percutaneous interventions were not successful in relieving her symptoms. Subsequently, she was managed with laparoscopic excision on both sides. After surgery, she had an uneventful postoperative period and good symptomatic relief. No recurrence of the lesion found in follow-up CT imaging after 18 months. Conclusions Renal lymphangiectasia is a rare yet clinically significant cystic lesion of the kidney. It can be diagnosed confidently by noninvasive imaging modalities. Medical treatment offered for mild symptomatic disease. Patients with severe symptoms need surgical intervention especially if it is not responding to medical management. Minimal invasive approach is feasible and successful in the management of this voluminous disease.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-023-00399-7Imaging in urologyLaparoscopyPathologyRenal failureCAKUT
spellingShingle Navaneethakrishnan Venkatachalam
Anandan Murugesan
Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report
African Journal of Urology
Imaging in urology
Laparoscopy
Pathology
Renal failure
CAKUT
title Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report
title_full Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report
title_fullStr Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report
title_full_unstemmed Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report
title_short Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia: a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach—a case report
title_sort bilateral renal lymphangiectasia a rare renal cystic disease managed by minimal invasive approach a case report
topic Imaging in urology
Laparoscopy
Pathology
Renal failure
CAKUT
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12301-023-00399-7
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AT anandanmurugesan bilateralrenallymphangiectasiaararerenalcysticdiseasemanagedbyminimalinvasiveapproachacasereport