title: Renal cell carcinoma with peri-renal fat necrosis radiographically mimicking extra-capsular tumor extension.
abstract: Peri-renal fat necrosis is rarely encountered, especially in the absence of previous surgery, trauma, or pancreatic disease. We report a patient being followed for chronic renal insufficiency by renal ultrasound in whom a renal mass was detected. Imaging studies were suggestive of renal cell carcinoma with extra-capsular extension. Histologic study confirmed renal cell carcinoma but the radiographic impression of tumor extension into surrounding adipose tissue was explained by peri-renal fat necrosis and fibrosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of peri-renal fat necrosis associated with renal cell carcinoma. We propose a possible mechanism for the association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: Giovanni D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Restrepo
authors.forename: Deba P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Sarma
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005218:Fat Necrosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography