Juxtaglomerular cell tumor in pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Although rare, two thirds of juxtaglomerular cell tumors of the kidney occur in young women in their reproductive years.


METHODS
A primigravid woman with a 6-year history of chronic hypertension was evaluated for the sudden onset of uncontrolled hypertension, proteinuria, and hypokalemia at 16 weeks' gestation. An abdominal sonogram revealed a left flank mass, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the mass was of renal origin. The worsening hypertension was not controlled with labetolol, methyldopa, nifedipine, or hydralazine, and required a nitroglycerine drip. The patient had left nephrectomy and subsequently miscarried at 19 weeks' gestation. Her blood pressure gradually decreased and normalized within 6 months. A pathologic examination of the renal mass confirmed that it was a juxtaglomerular cell tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
This tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis as a cause of severe hypertension in pregnancy.
Henderson
N L
NL
Methodist Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. nlhenders@aol.com
Mason
R C
RC
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000209:etiology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D009392:Nephrectomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery