Giant renal capsular leiomyoma: study of two cases

Abstract

Leiomyomas of the renal parenchyma and of the capsule are rare. These tumours are normally small asymptomatic and often detected incidentally. Large renal leiomyomas can present with pain or as an abdominal mass, but they are rare. The imaging features of these tumours have been poorly described in the literature. A radiological distinction from other renal neoplasms is often difficult to make owing to the similarity of imaging findings. We report two patients with renal leiomyomas who presented with pain and an abdominal mass. Both patients underwent nephrectomy and histological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma.

Renal Leiomyoma: An Uncommon Differential Diagnosis of Renal Masses with a Clinical Relevance

“…Leiomyomas of the renal capsule are occasionally attached to the cortex by a small stalk and irregular calcification may be seen. They are usually sharply demarcated without infiltration into surrounding tissue or evidence of metastasis [2]. The CT findings of this case were however suggestive of a Renal Cell Carcinoma of the left kidney.…”

“…In the genitourinary tract they are seen to involve any organ but are known to most commonly affect the kidneys, originating from smooth muscle cells of renal capsule, pelvis, calices and blood vessels [1,2].…”

Renal Leiomyoma: Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography Features with Histopathologic Correlation

“…Renal leiomyomas typically manifest as a small asymptomatic renal mass, although large renal leiomyomas may cause pain, a palpable flank mass and hematuria. Small renal leiomyomas appear as homogeneous enhancement on CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while large renal leiomyomas may show areas of hemorrhage and cystic or myxoid degeneration on imaging [2,7]. Typical imaging features of renal leiomyomas include hyperattenuation on nonenhanced CT images, peripheral location, well-defined margins and associated buckling of the renal cortex [7].…”

“…Small renal leiomyomas appear as homogeneous enhancement on CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while large renal leiomyomas may show areas of hemorrhage and cystic or myxoid degeneration on imaging [2,7]. Typical imaging features of renal leiomyomas include hyperattenuation on nonenhanced CT images, peripheral location, well-defined margins and associated buckling of the renal cortex [7]. Calcification occurs uncommonly in renal leiomyomas [2].…”

Renal leiomyoma: Case report and literature review

“…2 Leiomyomas originate from smooth muscle cells of renal capsule, pelvis, calices and blood vessels. 3 Renal leiomyiomas may be triggered by a genetic predisposition followed by an acquired insult. 4 Carpenter and colleagues demonstrated breakpoints in the q13-15 region of chromosome 12 in leiomyomas and congenital mesoblastic nephroma.…”