Photo Quiz
Acute Sharp Flank Pain
Am Fam Physician. 2021 Aug ;104(2):201-202.
A 54-year-old patient presented with stiffness and pain in the lower back and both thighs. The pain was worse when sitting and lying down, but there was no pain when standing. The patient described the pain as compression in the flanks that radiated to the right groin and both lateral thighs.
The patient had urinary hesitancy but no trauma, fever, weight loss, or blood in the urine. Symptoms were not relieved with ibuprofen and cyclobenzaprine. The medical history was significant for renal stones and gastroesophageal reflux. The patient had no history of back problems or repetitive lifting.
Physical examination revealed normal motor strength in the lower extremities and negative findings on the straight leg raise test. There was tenderness on palpation of the right flank. Results of a point-of-care urinalysis were normal. Prostate-specific antigen was mildly elevated at 5.84 ng per mL (5.84 mcg per L). Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was performed (Figure 1).
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Question
Based on the patient's history and physical examination findings, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Angiomyolipoma.
B. Metanephric adenoma.
C. Oncocytoma.
D. Renal abscess.
E. Renal cell carcinoma.
Discussion
The answer is E: renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma is often an incidental finding until the tumor enlarges to an advanced size. Presenting symptoms vary and include hematuria, abdominal pain, or a palpable mass. The likelihood of renal cell carcinoma is higher when all three of these symptoms are present (the classic triad). Approximately 80% to 85% of tumors in the renal cortex are renal cell carcinomas. In these cases, paraneoplastic symptoms may develop because of the production of ectopic hormones such as erythropoietin, parathyroid hormone–like protein, gonadotropins, chorionic somatomammotropin, adrenocorticotropic hormone–like substance, renin, glucagon, and insulin.1
The diagnostic workup for renal cell carcinoma includes CT or ultrasonography, although ultrasonography is less sensitive. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used in some patients. In this patient, CT identified a mass in the right kidney measuring 3.8 cm × 4.0 cm × 3.5 cm. Resection is necessary if imaging studies cannot differentiate benign renal lesions from carcinoma. Tissue biopsy of the mass can establish the diagnosis of malignancy and identify the histopathologic type. Clear cell subtypes, as in this patient, account for up to 75% of cases.2
Angiomyolipoma is a benign renal tumor that can grow to impair renal function. It is strongly associated with tuberous sclerosis, a multisystem autosomal dominant genetic disease, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. On histology, angiomyolipomas are composed of blood vessels, smooth muscle cells, and fat cells. Patients may be asymptomatic, but rupture of involved blood vessels can result in retrop
References
show all references1. Gold PJ, Fefer A, Thompson JA. Paraneoplastic manifestations of renal cell carcinoma. Semin Urol Oncol. 1996;14(4):216–222....
2. Muglia VF, Prando A. Renal cell carcinoma: histological classification and correlation with imaging findings. Radiol Bras. 2015;48(3):166–174.
3. Bissler JJ, Henske EP. Renal manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex. In: Kwiatkowski DJ, Holets Whittemore V, Thiele EA, eds. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Genes, Clinical Features and Therapeutics. Wiley; 2010:321–325.
4. Davis CJ Jr, Barton JH, Sesterhenn IA, et al. Metanephric adenoma. Clinicopathological study of fifty patients. Am J Surg Pathol. 1995;19(10):1101–1114.
5. Abrahams NA, Tamboli P. Oncocytic renal neoplasms: diagnostic considerations. Clin Lab Med. 2005;25(2):317–339.
6. Demertzis J, Menias CO. State of the art: imaging of renal infections. Emerg Radiol. 2007;14(1):13–22
This series is coordinated by John E. Delzell Jr., MD, MSPH, associate medical editor.
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