title: Renal cancer associated with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome is a rare genodermatosis characterized by hair follicle hamartomas, renal tumors and spontaneous pneumothorax. We present the case of a patient with pulmonary cysts and recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. She had typical skin lesions, and was found to have a hybrid oncocytoma which was surgically excised.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 60-year-old Caucasian woman had a 10-year history of cystic lung disease and recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces. She was noted to have papular lesions over her face and forehead. The result of a biopsy showed these lesions to be fibrofolliculomas. A diagnosis of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome was made and she was screened for renal tumors since these are a recognized association. A hybrid oncocytoma was detected which was surgically excised by partial nephrectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to consider a possible diagnosis of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome in cases of recurrent pneumothorax. Affected individuals must be screened for renal tumors, a potentially lethal consequence of this syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Adult Intensive Care Unit, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. wefferson@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Warwick
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Izatt
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sawicka
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