Introduction:
Renal angiomyolipomas (AML) are often regarded as benign tumors. This article reports the case of a 47 year old patient with AML associated with a venous invasion of the inferior vena cava.
Presentation of case:
Our 47 year old male patient presented for flank pain and hematuria. CT Scan revealed a 3 cm lobulated low-density lesion in the renal sinus, middle and upper lobes of the right kidney, with evidence of IVC thrombus on angioscan. Right radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy were successfully done with use of cardiopulmonary bypass. On pathology, AML was confirmed.
Discussion:
Renal AML are unilateral and sporadic in most cases, with a female predominance. The occurrence of venous invasion in patients with AML is a rare and unique phenomenon. CT scan is the imaging of choice in such cases and surgery remains the optimal treatment.
Conclusion:
More focus should be put on the ability of AML to invade venous structures. Early imaging and therapeutic planning are necessary for the best outcome in case of vena cava invasion. Collaboration of the urologist with the vascular surgeon can lead to better surgical results.