Renal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium--a case report

Abstract

We present a case of spontaneous rupture of renal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus extending from the right renal vein and inferior vena cava to the right atrium. A 41-year-old woman, previously in good health, was referred to our hospital with right flank pain. Computed tomography showed fat densities in both tumor and thrombus. Other imaging examinations also demonstrated a large right renal mass (18 cm in diameter), a long tumor thrombus (13 cm in length) and a small left renal tumor (1.5 cm in diameter). Right nephrectomy and en-bloc removal of the intra caval and intracardiac tumor thrombus were performed on cardiopulmonary bypass. It was pathologically diagnosed as an angiomyolipoma without tuberous sclerosis. At present, three years after surgery the patient is doing well, showing neither metastasis nor increase of the left renal angiomyolipoma. To our knowledge, our case seems to be the 3rd case report of renal angiomyolipoma with a tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium. We conclude that renal angiomyolipoma even with an intra cardiac tumor thrombus can be resected safely and successfully.