It is the cache of ${baseHref}. It is a snapshot of the page. The current page could have changed in the meantime.
Tip: To quickly find your search term on this page, press Ctrl+F or ⌘-F (Mac) and use the find bar.

Computed tomographic scan in the diagnosis of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia Rastogi R, Rastogi V - Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl
  Home About us Current issue Back issues Submission Instructions Advertise Contact Login   

Search Article  
  
Advanced search  
 
Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation
Users online: 60 Home Bookmark this page Print this page Email this page Small font sizeDefault font size Increase font size 
 


 
CASE REPORT Table of Contents   
Year : 2008  |  Volume : 19  |  Issue : 6  |  Page : 976-979
Computed tomographic scan in the diagnosis of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia


Yash Diagnostic Center, Yash Hospital and Research Center, Civil Lines, Kanth Road, Moradabad (UP), India

Click here for correspondence address and email
 

   Abstract  

Renal lymphangiectasia is a rarely reported disorder of lymphatic malformation. Although benign, it may lead to hypertension and renal failure in undetected or undiagnosed cases. Adult polycystic kidney disease is a close mimic. We herewith present a rare case of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia that was strongly suspected on Computed tomographic (CT) scan and confirmed by aspiration cytology. Awareness about this condition will result in early diagnosis, early treatment and reduced morbidity.

Keywords: Renal, Lymphangiectasia, Lymphangiomatosis

How to cite this article:
Rastogi R, Rastogi V. Computed tomographic scan in the diagnosis of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2008;19:976-9

How to cite this URL:
Rastogi R, Rastogi V. Computed tomographic scan in the diagnosis of bilateral renal lymphangiectasia. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl [serial online] 2008 [cited 2014 Mar 5];19:976-9. Available from: http://www.sjkdt.org/text.asp?2008/19/6/976/43476

   Case Report   Top


A 20-year-old male patient with fever and vague abdominal pain off and on for 4-6 months was referred to us for contrast en­hanced computed tomographic (CT) scan of the abdomen. Clinical examination revealed high blood pressure (150/96) and bilateral pal­pable kidneys. History of trauma was denied. Laboratory tests were unremarkable. Ultra­sound (US) examination done at some other center revealed bilateral nephromegaly, sep­tate, perinephric collection and mild ascites with a provisional diagnosis of bilateral peri­nephric abscess with possible pyelonephritis.

Contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen [Figure 1],[Figure 2],[Figure 3],[Figure 4] revealed bilateral enlarged and slightly deformed kidneys, especially on the right side. The right kidney measured 17.2 × 9.3 cm while the left kidney measured 15.7 × 9.2 cm. There was large, asymmetric peri­nephric fluid collection on both sides; being larger on the right side. The HU value of the collection ranged from 10-15. Few internal septations and perinephric fascial thickening with no obvious abnormal post-contrast en­hancement was noted on either side. There was minute fluid attenuating collection in the renal pelvis bilaterally as well as the retro­peritoneum around the great vessels. The renal parenchyma was otherwise normal on both sides. The renal veins were patent bilaterally.No evidence of dilated pelvicaliceal system or any calculus was noted on either side. Mild free fluid was noted in the peritoneal cavity. Rest of the abdomen was unremarkable.

Based on the clinicoradiologic features, a provisional diagnosis of bilateral renal lym­phangiectasia with mild ascites was suggested.

Fluid aspiration and cytology followed by drainage under US guidance was performed for confirming the diagnosis and as part of treatment. Approximately 450 mL of chylous fluid was drained from both sides. Microscopic examination revealed only few lymphocytes. The aspirated fluid was rich in protein and contained abundant renin that is specific to kidneys. No organisms were isolated on cul­ture of aspirated fluid. Thus, the diagnosis based on CT findings was confirmed.

The patient was put on diuretics and anti­hypertensives and was followed-by serial US examinations for six months, which did not reveal any significant increase in perinephric collection or ascites. Although the size of the kidneys was reduced, they did not come to the normal range. The antihypertensives were withdrawn after six months since the patient's blood pressure was within normal limits.


   Discussion   Top


Renal lymphangiectasia (RLM), also known as renal lymphangiomatosis is a rare benign malformation involving the lymphatic system of the kidneys (perirenal, peripelvic and intra­renal lymphatics). It arises as a result of failure of renal lymphatic ducts to drain in to larger retroperitoneal lymphatics, subsequently leading to dilatation of ducts and formation of uni­locular or multilocular cystic spaces in the pelvic sinus and perinephric spaces. [1]

RLM may be seen at any age. Familial asso­ciation has been reported in some cases. [2] It may be asymptomatic or may present with non-specific symptomatolgy. The commonest complaints include flank pain, abdominal dis­tension, fever, hematuria, hypertension and rarely, impaired renal function. [1],[3]

Imaging studies may give a clue to the diagnosis. Excretory urography, although not diagnostic, reveal normal sized or enlarged kidneys, distortion of the pelvicaliceal system (in intrapelvic collection) and distortion of renal contour (in peripelvic collection). [4] Ultra­sonography is more informative than excretory urography and may be diagnostic. Renal lym­phangiectasia is seen as loculated, cystic, sep­tate collection in peripelvic and/or perinephric location with posterior acoustic enhancement. [1] The kidneys may be normal sized or enlarged and corticomedullary differentiation may be altered. The most important differential diag­nosis on ultrasonography is adult polycystic kidneys [5] and hydronephrosis. [6] In adult poly­cystic kidney, the cysts arise from the renal cortex while in renal lymphangiectasia the renal cortex is normal. Similarly, close exa­mination will reveal normal pelvicaliceal sys­tem in RLM.

Prior to the advent of CT scan, the diagnosis was usually made at the time of exploratory laparotomy or after nephrectomy. On CT scan, renal lymphangiectasia appears as a well con­tained, fluid attenuating collections in the peripelvic or perinephric space with or without demonstrable septations with normal renal parenchyma. [1],[4] When intrarenal lymphatics are solely involved, renal lymphangiectasia may present as simple enlargement of the kidney or even as a solid mass without evidence of any cystic lesion. [7] The renal shape and contour may be deformed in addition to thickening of perirenal fascia as seen in our case. There was no invasion of the adjacent structures. In addition, the presence of fluid or fluid filled structures in the retroperitoneum adjacent to the great vessels at the level of the renal hilum and crossing the midline as seen in our case, further reinforce the diagnosis of renal lym­phangiectasia. [4] These represent the dilated lymphatic ducts draining the renal and peri­renal lymphatics in to larger retroperitoneal lymphatic trunks. The pelvicaliceal system is normal with no evidence of any renal or ureteric calculi. All the other differential diag­nosis like nephroblastomatosis, lymphoma and multilocular cystic nephroma can be distin­guished from renal lymphangiectasia on CT scan by the fact that all of them involve the renal parenchyma and the former two are solid in attenuation. [4],[5]

Magnetic resonance imaging can also diag­nose RLM, as the lymphatic collections appear hyperintense on T2W HASTE images and there is reversal of corticomedullary intensity. [8]

Complications of undiagnosed/untreated cases include hematuria, ascites, hypertension, renal vein thrombosis and impairment of renal function. [3],[9],[10] Fluid aspiration and cytology of the perinephric collection not only confirms the diagnosis but also excludes the presence of urinoma and abscess. Renal origin of lymph can be confirmed by demonstrating high levels of renin as seen in our case. [3],[5]

Asymptomatic cases or small renal lymphatic collections are treated conservatively while percutaneous drainage is indicated in large and symptomatic collections causing pressure sym­ptoms or other complications related to RLM. [5] Partial regression has been reported in neo­natal cases [11] while deterioration has been described during pregnancy. [2],[12] Recurrent col­lections can be treated by marsupialization where a communication is made between the collection and the peritoneal cavity. [3] Ascites and hypertension can be treated with diuretics and antihypertensives. Nephrectomy is reserved for cases with recurring or complicated col­lections and uncontrollable complications. [5]

In summary, CT scan can play a very im­portant role not only in the diagnosis of renal lymphangiectasia but also in determining the extent and follow-up, thus reducing the mor­bidity associated with this condition.

 
   References   Top

1. Davidson AJ, Hartman DS. Lymphangioma of the retroperitoneum: CT and sonographic cha­racteristics. Radiology 1990;175:507-10.  Back to cited text no. 1  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
2. Meredith WT, Levine E, Ahlstom NG, Grantham JJ. Exacerbation of familial renal lympha­ngiomatosis during pregnancy. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1988;151:965-6.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3. Schwarz A, Lenz T, Klaen R, Offermann G, Ulrich F, Nussberger J. Hygroma renale: pararenal lymphatic cysts associated with renin dependent hypertension (page kidney). Case report on bilateral cysts and successful therapy by marsupialization. J Urol 1993;150:953-7.  Back to cited text no. 3    
4. Ramseyer LT. Case 34: Renal lymphan­giectasia. Radiology 2001;219:442-4.  Back to cited text no. 4  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
5. Ashraf K, Raza SS, Ashraf O, Memon W, Memon A, Zubairi TA. Renal lymphangiec­tasia Br J Radiol 2007;80:e117-8.  Back to cited text no. 5    
6. Sarikaya B, Akturk Y, Bekar U, Topaloglu S. Bilateral renal lymphangiomatosis mimicking hydronephrosis: Multidetector CT urographic findings. Abdom Imaging 2006;31(6):732-4.  Back to cited text no. 6    
7. Kim JK, Ahn JH, Kim KR, Cho KS. Renal lymphangioma manifested as a solid mass on ultrasonography and computed tomography. J Ultrasound Med 2002;21:203-6.  Back to cited text no. 7    
8. Mani NBS, Sodhi KS, Singh P, Katariya S, Poddar U, Thapa BR. Renal lymphangioma­tosis: a rare cause of bilateral nephromegaly. Australas Radiol 2003;47(2):184-7.  Back to cited text no. 8    
9. Riehl J, Schmitt H, Schafer L, Schneider B, Sieberth G. Retroperitoneal lymphangiectasia associated with bilateral renal vein thrombosis. Nephrol Dial Transplant 1997;12:1701-3.  Back to cited text no. 9    
10. Chang MS, Yang DM, Yoon MH, Kim HS, Jin W, Lee JB. Peripelvic and Perirenal Lymphan­giectasia and Bilateral Renal Vein Thrombosis: a Case report. J Korean Radiol Soc 2000;43 (1):91-4.  Back to cited text no. 10    
11. Pickering SP, Fletcher BD, Bryan PJ, Abramowsky CR. Renal lymphangioma: a cause of neonatal nephromegaly. Pediatr Radiol 1984;14:445-8.  Back to cited text no. 11  [PUBMED]  
12. Rajeev TP, Barua S, Deka PM, Hazarika S. Bilateral perirenal lymphangiomatosis. Indian J Urol 2006;22:73-4.  Back to cited text no. 12    Medknow Journal

Top
Correspondence Address:
Rajul Rastogi
Consultant Radiologist, C-002, Upkari Apartments, Plot no 9, Sector 12, Dwarka, Delhi-110078
India
Login to access the Email id

PMC citations 1

PMID: 18974588

Get Permissions



    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]

This article has been cited by
1 Percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy as definitive treatment of renal lymphangiomatosis
Valerio, M. and Meuwly, J.-Y. and Tawadros, C. and Jichlinski, P.
Journal of the Canadian Urological Association. 2012; 6(1): E3-E7
[Pubmed]
2 The Case Odd-looking kidneys
Celebi, N. and Horger, M. and Wolf, S. and Heyne, N. and Weyrich, P. and Georges, G. and Artunc, F.
Kidney International. 2012; 81(1): 121-122
[Pubmed]
3 Renal lymphangiectasia: Incidental finding at multislice computed tomography and literature review [Linfangiectasia renal: Achado incidental em tomografia computadorizada multicorte e revisão da literatura]
de Vasconcelos, R.A. and Pereira, E.S. and Bauab Jr., T. and Valente, R.S.
Radiologia Brasileira. 2012; 45(3): 178-180
[Pubmed]
4 Perinephric fluid collections due to renal lymphangiectasia
Wani, N.A. and Kosar, T. and Gojwari, T. and Qureshi, U.A.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 2011; 57(2): 347-351
[Pubmed]



 

Top
 
 
    Similar in PUBMED
    Search Pubmed for
    Search in Google Scholar for
  Related articles
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  
 


 
    Abstract
    Case Report
    Discussion
    References
    Article Figures
 

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed 1917    
    Printed 68    
    Emailed 0    
    PDF Downloaded 288    
    Comments  [Add]    
    Cited by others  4    

Recommend this journal