An unusual cause of acute renal failure: renal lymphoma

Renal involvement is a common finding in non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL). Acute renal failure at initial presentation due to lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys has been described infrequently. We report a 17-year-old male who presented with acute renal failure due to massive lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys, which necessitated hemodialysis. The diagnosis of B-cell NHL was established by tru-cut biopsy of the kidneys and the patient had an excellent response to high-dose chemotherapy with no major complication. The presence of extrarenal involvement in the testes and the retroperitoneal lymph nodes made the diagnosis of primary renal lymphoma debatable. However, considering the delay in diagnosis and the high proliferative rate of B-cell NHL, we might postulate that the disease had originated primarily in the kidneys. We recommend that in NHL cases with severe renal involvement, full-dose chemotherapy should be instituted with meticulous clinical and laboratory follow-up in order to improve clinical and renal failure status rapidly and to avoid further dissemination of NHL.     

Acute renal failure due to non-Hodgkin lymphoma infiltration of the kidneys detected by ultrasonography and confirmed by positron emission tomography

Acute renal failure (ARF) as a consequence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma infiltration of the kidneys (LIK) is an uncommon complication of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In literature, ARF due to LIK is reported in progressive disease. A case of non-oliguric acute renal failure secondary to relapse of large B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma primarily localized in the mediastinum is reported. LIK of both kidneys was diagnosed by ultrasonography, computer tomography scan and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. No other causes for renal failure were found. The prognosis of renal involvement in relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma is poor, as is demonstrated by our case.     

Primary renal lymphoma presenting as acute renal failure

Diffuse bilateral infiltration of the kidneys by lymphoma cells is a rare but well-documented cause of acute renal failure (ARF). Only 51 such cases have been reported, 15 of which had ARF as the initial presentation of lymphoma. The clinical and pathologic features of these 15 cases and of two additional cases reported herein are reviewed. The diagnosis should be suspected in a patient with ARF, bilateral enlargement of the kidneys, minimal proteinuria, nonspecific findings on urinalysis, and absence of features of allergic tubulointerstitial nephritis. Renal imaging techniques may suggest the possibility of lymphomatous infiltration, but only renal biopsy or autopsy can provide a definitive diagnosis. Although modern chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy usually leads to a dramatic normalization of renal function, almost all patients eventually die of widespread recurrent lymphoma, despite the absence of clinical or pathologic involvement of the kidneys at the time of death.     

Case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with acute renal failure successfully treated with chemotherapy

We report a case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with acute renal failure. A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital on March 8, 2002 with leg edema and dyspnea on effort. About 3 weeks before admission, he was found to have slightly high serum creatinine (Cr) and high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels by another home doctor. Physical examination revealed anemic conjunctivae and leg edema, but the urinary volume was preserved. Blood examination showed high BUN (64 mg/dl) and Cr levels (3.91 mg/dl). Urinary analysis showed proteinuria (1.05 g/day) and high BMG (14,434/microg/day) and NAG (4.55 U/day) levels, suggesting severe tubulointerstitial injury. On ultrasonography of the kidney, the bilateral kidneys showed marked swelling without hydronephrosis. To investigate the genesis of renal failure, we performed a renal biopsy. The specimen showed normal glomeruli, but a large number of cells infiltrated in the tubulointerstitial area with normal tubulointerstitial structure. The cells stained positively with anti-leukocyte antigen and L26 (B cell marker), and negatively with cytokeratin and UCHL-1 (T cell marker). These findings indicate that the interstitial cells were non-Hodgkin lymphoma with B cell diffuse large cells. Chemotherapy was performed with VAD (vincristine sulfate, doxorubicin hydrochloride, dexamethasone) considering his renal dysfunction. To avoid tumor lysis syndrome after chemotherapy, hemodialysis was performed on days 1-4 after the initiation of chemotherapy. After a series of chemotherapy, the urinary volume increased and serum Cr levels decreased to 2 mg/dl. After additional therapy with 4 courses of CHOP, he improved and was discharged on day 180 after admission.     

Early renal involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and nonHodgkin's lymphoma in children

Clinical manifestations of kidney disease, particularly renal failure, caused by malignant infiltration in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or nonHodgkin's lymphoma have been described rarely. We report 1 case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 3 cases of nonHodgkin's lymphoma in which renal disease was the only or one of the presenting manifestations of malignancy. Of these patients 2 had rapidly progressive renal failure with nephromegaly, 1 presented with bilateral abdominal masses caused by severe nephromegaly and with microscopic hematuria, and 1 had microscopic hematuria without nephromegaly. In all 4 patients kidney biopsy revealed malignant infiltration. In the 2 patients who presented with renal failure kidney function promptly returned to normal after chemotherapy and irradiation of the kidneys. Prompt and correct diagnosis of nephropathy, when it is the only or one of the presenting signs of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or nonHodgkin's lymphoma, is necessary to expedite initiation of specific antitumor therapy.     

Reversible renal vasoconstriction in a patient with acute renal failure after exercise

Acute renal failure (ARF) with severe loin pain induced by anaerobic exercise is a rare condition that is accompanied by wedge-shaped contrast enhancement seen on computerized tomographic (CT) scan without evidence of rhabdomyolysis. An 18-year-old Korean male was transferred to our hospital for evaluation of mild azotemia, that developed after anaerobic exercise. The laboratory tests revealed that the serum creatinine was 2.1 mg/dl and the serum uric acid level was 1.6 mg/dl without any elevation of the serum myoglobin or creatine phosphokinase. Under the impression of exercise-induced ARF, we tried to determine the relationship between the occurrence of clinical symptoms, renal dysfunction and the characteristic CT findings by observing those changes prospectively before and after anaerobic exercise. After obtaining a written consent, the patient underwent a strenuous period of anaerobic exercise to induce the clinical symptoms. Before exercise, he was completely asymptomatic; his serum creatinine level was 0.9 mg/dl and CT scan of the kidneys showed no abnormalities. Loin pain developed 2 hours after exercise, and the serum creatinine level increased to 1.2 mg/dl 18 hours after the exercise. CT scan 18 hours after exercise showed multiple perfusion defects, and a 24-hour delayed CT scan showed multiple areas of wedge-shaped enhancement on both kidneys. These changes were completely resolved on the follow-up CT scan obtained 13 days after exercise with the return of a normal serum creatinine level. We conclude that reversible renal vasoconstriction is probably the main pathophysiologic mechanism of acute renal failure induced by anaerobic exercise.     

Progressive renal failure due to renal invasion and parenchymal destruction by adult T-cell lymphoma

A 43-year-old patient of occult adult T-cell lymphoma (ATL) presenting with systemic illness and progressive renal failure due to lymphomatous infiltration of kidneys is described. The striking feature observed was destructive infiltration of the kidneys, by malignant CD4 cells, virtually replacing the normal renal architecture. The diagnosis of lymphoma was made by renal biopsy. Clinical features typical of ATL were hypercalcemia, lytic bone lesions, and profound wasting and inanition. The patient died rapidly despite attempted therapy. The case illustrates the potential of ATL for direct renal parenchymal destruction.     

Acute renal failure due to malignant lymphoma infiltration

We present two cases of renal lymphoma revealed by acute renal failure (ARF), which remains a rare clinical entity. Case 1 was a 29-year-old man with an ARF. The diagnosis was a primitive kidney immunophenotype B lymphoma. The patient died after three courses of chemotherapy due to rapid spread lymphoma. The second case was a high-grade renal lymphomatous infiltration, with an unusual computer tomography image of two large kidneys compressing the stomach. Death happened early before initiating therapy. In both cases the diagnosis has been established by renal pathology. Early diagnosis is a key component of therapeutic success, however, the rapid spread of lymphoma worsened renal and vital prognosis.     

Acute renal failure due to mantle cell lymphoma--a case report and discussion of the literature

Acute renal failure secondary to lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys is a rare manifestation raer mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). We present the case of a 76-year-old gentleman with acute renal failure an a background of previously treated low grade non-hodgkin lymphoma. At the time of presentation he complained only of mild lethargy und had no lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. Renal ultrasound revealed bilaterally enlarged kidneys and renal biopsy confirmed MCL. Mantle cell lymphoma runs an aggressive course and accurate diagnosis is very important in guiding appropriate treatment. This case demonstrates the importance of renal biopsy in the diagnosis of renal lymphomatous infiltration but also highlights the potential utility of histological examination in guiding targeted therapy.     

Primary renal lymphoma

Lymphomatous involvement of the kidneys is a common manifestation of systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but associated renal dysfunction is uncommon. In contrast, lymphoma originating within the kidneys is a rare event. We report a case of primary renal lymphoma presenting with renal insufficiency and hypertension in a 10-year-old boy.     

Report of a patient with a high level of parathyroid hormone-related peptide associated with malignant lymphoma involving multiple bony lesions.

Hypercalcemia in malignant lymphoma is not common. Our case of malignant lymphoma with multiple bony lesions showed hypercalcemia (13 mg/dl) at the time of bone marrow relapse. The serum level of parathyroid hormone-related peptide increased to 142 pmol/l, which may be secreted by malignant lymphoma cells. The course of the patient was aggressive and she died from bone marrow relapse after 6 months of treatment including high-dose methotrexate, which caused acute nonoliguric renal failure. At autopsy there was extensive calcium deposition in the lungs, kidneys and pancreas and prominent tubular damage of kidneys.     

Acute renal failure secondary to small cell lung cancer with tumor infiltration of the kidneys

Acute renal failure secondary to tumor infiltration of the kidneys is uncommon and largely described in patients with lymphoma or leukemia. We report a 64-year-old man previously diagnosed with limited stage small cell lung cancer who presented with acute renal failure (ARF). Renal imaging showed bilateral enlargement with features suggestive of an infiltrative process. A kidney biopsy established the diagnosis of metastatic small cell lung cancer with diffuse renal parenchymal infiltration. This case emphasizes the rare potential for cancers to metastasize to the kidneys, which can result in ARF. Early recognition of this cause of ARF is crucial, in particular, when the tumor is amenable to chemotherapy or irradiation.     

Acute renal failure in a patient with Rosai-Dorfman disease

Acute renal failure developed in a 57-year-old woman who had Rosai-Dorfman disease diagnosed 1 year previously on a cervical lymph node. Organ imaging showed diffuse masses infiltrating both kidneys. The renal biopsy showed a lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic process extensively replacing the parenchyma, which is in keeping with Rosai-Dorfman disease of the kidneys. However, the typical lymphophagocytic cells were lacking. This case illustrates that diagnosis of Rosai-Dorfman disease in renal biopsy can be very difficult, requiring both exclusion of many benign and malignant lesions and a high index of suspicion for this condition. In particular, lymphoma was excluded based on the mixed polyclonal composition of inflammatory cells and the absence of atypical lymphoid proliferation. The renal function partially recovered after a course of therapy combining VP-16 (etoposide) and dexamethasone and remained stable over 4-year follow-up. This report emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to safeguard renal function in extensive Rosai-Dorfman disease.     

Renal zygomycosis: an under-diagnosed cause of acute renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Invasive zygomycosis (mucormycosis) occurs predominantly in immunocompromised patients in whom it carries a grave prognosis. While renal involvement is not so uncommon in disseminated infection, isolated renal zygomycosis is rare. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five patients with systemic zygomycosis were seen over a 12-year period from January 1986 to December 1997. Among these, 18 had renal involvement, nine with disseminated disease and nine with isolated renal zygomycosis. No underlying predisposing disease was identified in the majority of patients (72%). Renal involvement was confirmed at autopsy in 13 and by ante-mortem renal biopsy in five patients. The infection involved one kidney in five patients and was bilateral in the remaining. The manifestations included fever, flank pain, haematuria and pyuria with evidence of enlarged non-functioning kidneys on computerised tomography (CT). Of those with bilateral disease, 12 (92.3%) had anuric acute renal failure. Anti-fungal therapy was given to six patients (amphotericin B in mean total dose of 1.1 g) and of these only two with unilateral disease who also underwent nephrectomy survived while all the other 16 died. CONCLUSION: This study shows that renal zygomycosis has emerged as a cause of acute renal failure in the last decade since no patient with renal involvement was identified at our centre prior to 1986 even though autopsies have been done regularly in patients dying of unknown causes. Bilateral renal zygomycosis should be suspected in any patient who presents with haematuria, flank pain and otherwise unexplained anuric renal failure. Characteristic CT findings and an early renal biopsy can confirm the diagnosis and help in effective management of this serious disease.     

Renal involvement in lymphoma: prevalence and various patterns of involvement on abdominal CT

Objective The kidney is a frequent site of involvement in lymphoproliferative disorders. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence and spectrum of morphologic appearances of renal involvement in patients with lymphoma on helical computed tomographic (CT) scan. Methods Three phases of post-contrast helical CT of the abdomen in 74 patients with lymphoma were reviewed for possible renal involvement: the cortico-medullary, nephrographic and delayed excretory phases. Tumor characteristics, patterns of distribution and enhancement features were evaluated. Results Of the 74 patients with lymphoma, 11 had CT evidence of renal involvement—ten with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and one with Hodgkin’s lymphoma—representing 15% of all patients scanned for routine staging of histologically diagnosed lymphoma. Five types of renal involvement were observed: enlarged lobular non-enhancing kidneys (four patients); bilateral multiple renal masses (two patients); focal single non-enhancing mass (two patients); perirenal infiltrations from retroperitoneal extension (two patients); bilateral diffuse areas of non-enhancing hypo-densities (one patient). Conclusion Five distinct patterns of renal involvement with lymphoma were detected with helical CT. The most common appearance was enlarged lobular kidneys. CT with intravenous contrast enhancement is currently the approach of choice for both the evaluation of renal involvement as well as for accurate staging of lymphoma. Awareness of different patterns of renal involvement in lymphoma allows proper differentiation from other similar diseases.     

Case of peritubular capillary dominant intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (PTC dominant IVLBCL) successfully treated with chemotherapy

A 72-year-old woman developed common cold-like symptoms, diarrhea, a staggering gait, and persistent anorexia from the beginning of May 2009. In the middle of May, her general fatigue worsened, and she was transported to our hospital by ambulance. Abdominal CT showed bilateral renal enlargement, and her general condition and renal function rapidly deteriorated. The soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level was elevated to 5,928 U/mL, and gallium scintigraphy showed a weak uptake in both kidneys. We considered the possibility of malignant lymphoma, and performed a renal biopsy, which showed no glomerular abnormalities, but disclosed the accumulation of large, atypical lymphoid cells with a high N/C ratio and dark chromatin in peritubular capillaries (PTC). On immunohistochemical staining, these atypical cells were found to be CD5(+), CD20 (+/-), CD10(-), CD3(-), and CD7(-), leading to a diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL). Since gallium scintigraphy showed no uptake in other organs, and examination of the cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow revealed no tumor cells, the patient was considered to have kidney-limited IVLBCL. Chemotherapy was started immediately, which resulted in an improved general condition. Although her renal function deteriorated sufficiently to require dialysis, she was weaned from dialysis. After treatment with chemotherapy, the enlarged kidneys returned to the normal size. Subsequently, she has been receiving chemotherapy intermittently, and has remained free of recurrence. In general, IVLBCL mainly involving the kidney is difficult to diagnose antemortem, and is sometimes found at autopsy. We suggest that bilateral renal enlargement with renal failure of unknown origin should raise the suspicion of malignant lymphoma requiring a prompt renal biopsy. Cases of LBCL in which lymphoma cells fill PTC, as in this patient, have rarely been reported. We believe that this case is extremely valuable in understanding the pathogenesis of intravascular lymphoma invading the kidney; therefore, we report it with a review of the literature.     

Acute renal failure from myoglobinuria secondary to myositis from severe falciparum malaria

Renal disease is a common complication in malaria infection. In acute falciparum malaria renal involvement is usually mild, but in severe disease acute renal failure is a major problem. Acute renal failure has been attributed to ischaemic tubular necrosis from hypovolaemia resulting from vasodilatation due to endothelial injury. Though myositis is recorded as a common manifestation in falciparum malaria, only 1 case with myositis and myoglobinuria with acute renal failure has been documented; but no renal biopsy was performed in the patient. In the present study we examined the case of a 17-year-old man with severe falciparum malaria with myositis and myoglobinuria who developed acute renal failure requiring dialysis. Muscle biopsy revealed severe myositis with macrophages and T lymphocytes including CD4+ cells. The kidney biopsy showed scanty T cells and macrophages in the glomeruli which were only mildly hypercellular. The renal tubules showed myoglobin casts in the lumen and foci of interstitial inflammatory cells, including macrophages and T lymphocytes but no CD4+ cells. Rhabdomyolysis induced by macrophages and T cells with myoglobinuria and acute renal failure is a problem in severe falciparum malaria infection.     

Renal tubular dysgenesis: the first case reported in Japan

Renal tubular dysgenesis (RTD) is a fatal congenital disease characterized by a defect in the differentiation of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. This disorder is clinically associated with oligohydramnios, intrauterine growth retardation, and acute renal failure, and the diagnosis is made only at autopsy. We report a very low birth-weight infant with RTD. The infant was delivered at 32 weeks of gestation by cesarian section, because of fetal distress, and weighed 631 g. She had no micturition after birth and developed acute renal failure on day 3 of life. Because ultrasound scan did not show any abnormalities of the kidneys, she was treated aggressively with various blood purification procedures, but she died of sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) on day 13 after birth. Postmortem examination of the kidneys showed glomerular crowding and undifferentiated tubules. Positive staining of tubular epithelial cells for epithelial membrane antigen supported a diagnosis of RTD. When renal failure occurs in a neonate without any gross morphological abnormalities of the kidneys on ultrasound imaging, RTD should be considered. A review of the literature showed that this is the first case of RTD reported in Japan. Received: June 4, 2001 / Accepted: June 25, 2001     

Diagnosis of renal trauma

We experienced 25 cases of renal trauma in our hospitals during the past 5 years, 20 cases were male and 5 cases were female, ranging in age 10 to 51 years old with average 26 years old, and the chief complaints were gross-hematuria and pain of renal region. We studied the IVP and CT patterns of these cases. IVP revealed 13 cases of renal contusion, 11 cases of renal lacerated wound and 1 case of renal fragmentation. The CT scan of 14 cases showed that it was useful for the diagnosis of the degree of renal trauma, especially, for hematoma surroundings the kidneys. The hematoma surrounding the kidneys was clearly noted in 7 cases by CT scan, but the unclearness of renal contours and iliopsoas muscle was considered to suggest the existence of hematoma surrounding the kidneys by IVP. All of the hematoma surrounding the kidneys was absorbed by conservative therapy, but 5 of the 7 cases were treated within 3 months.