An exceptional minute tumour incidentally found in a renal biopsy

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2011 Apr;26(4):1436-8. doi: 10.1093/ndt/gfq836. Epub 2011 Feb 15.

Abstract

Pathological analysis of renal biopsies performed to investigate a nephrological disease may exceptionally reveal incidental tumours, in addition to expected glomerular, tubulointerstitial or vascular pathology. We present the first case to date of a minute angiomyolipoma (AML), found incidentally in a renal biopsy specimen, performed in the assessment of proteinuria. AML is an uncommon kidney tumour, composed of a variable proportion of adipose tissue, spindle and epithelioid smooth muscle cells. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory for a definitive diagnosis, showing a specific perivascular epithelioid differentiation. The diagnosis of renal AML justifies the search for tuberous sclerosis-associated tumours.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiomyolipoma / diagnosis*
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Kidney Diseases / surgery*
  • Middle Aged