An anastomosing hemangioma mimicking a renal cell carcinoma in a kidney transplant recipient: a case report

Chang Seong Kim,Soo Jin Na Choi,Eun Hui Bae,Soo Wan Kim,Sung-Sun Kim,Seong Kwon Ma,Sang Heon Suh

doi:10.1186/s12882-021-02467-y

Chang Seong Kim, Soo Jin Na Choi + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-021-02467-y

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Abstract

BackgroundAlthough anastomosing hemangiomas are very rare and benign vascular neoplasms, these tumors are more common among patients with end-stage kidney disease. Incidental finding of these tumors in the kidney or adrenal gland has been reported. Herein, we describe a case in which an anastomosing hemangioma was misdiagnosed as a renal cell carcinoma before kidney transplant.Case presentationA 35-year-old woman with lupus nephritis was admitted to our emergency department for suspected uremic symptoms of nausea and general weakness. She had received hemodialysis due to end-stage kidney disease, and a living-donor kidney transplantation from her father was planned. On pre-operative contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, a 1.7 cm renal cell carcinoma was observed in the right kidney. On staining after radical nephrectomy, irregularly shaped vascular spaces of various sizes were observed, with these spaces having an anastomosing pattern. As the findings of the anastomosing hemangioma are similar to those of a renal cell carcinoma on imaging, histology examination was necessary to confirm the diagnosis of anastomosing hemangioma and to prevent delay in listing for kidney transplantation. Good kidney function was achieved after transplantation, with no tumor recurrence.ConclusionOur case underlines the importance for prompt surgical resection of an enhancing renal mass to confirm diagnosis in patients scheduled for kidney transplantation to avoid any delay.

Highlights

Anastomosing hemangiomas are very rare and benign vascular neoplasms, these tumors are more common among patients with end-stage kidney disease
Our case underlines the importance for prompt surgical resection of an enhancing renal mass to confirm diagnosis in patients scheduled for kidney transplantation to avoid any delay
* Correspondence: skimw@chonnam.ac.kr 1Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, 160 Baekseo-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61469, South Korea Full list of author information is available at the end of the article the radiological imaging findings of these tumors are similar to those of renal cell carcinomas [3, 4]

Summary

Introduction

Anastomosing hemangiomas are very rare and benign vascular neoplasms, these tumors are more common among patients with end-stage kidney disease. Conclusion: Our case underlines the importance for prompt surgical resection of an enhancing renal mass to confirm diagnosis in patients scheduled for kidney transplantation to avoid any delay. Background Renal cell carcinoma is the most common subtype of kidney cancer in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), vascular kidney tumors are a rare occurrence [1].

Results

Conclusion