Angiography of the Nephrogenic Hepatic Dysfunction Syndrome

Abstract

A hepatic dysfunction syndrome associated with hypernephroma occurs in the absence of hepatic metastatic disease. It is characterized by nonspecific constitutional symptoms, hepatomegaly, and abnormal liver function tests. Hepatic angiography in 3 cases demonstrated hepatomegaly, pronounced hypervascularity, and marked accentuation of hepatic granularity during the capillary phase, without focal defects or pathologic vessels to suggest metastases. Liver enlargement and biochemical abnormalities may regress after nephrectomy. Recognition of this syndrome is important to avoid misdiagnosis of metastatic disease which would result in inappropriate palliative therapy of the renal carcinoma.