Persistent retroperitoneal haematoma from undiagnosed renal cell carcinoma in a young trauma patient

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Sep 15;15(9):e248115. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-248115.

Abstract

A man in his 20s presents to the emergency department after a water skiing accident and was diagnosed with a grade 3 left renal laceration. He subsequently required cystoscopic insertion of a ureteric stent after failing a trial of conservative management. Over the next 9 months, he re-presented to the hospital twice with increasing flank pain and fevers. Subsequent imaging demonstrated interval progression of the retroperitoneal haematoma with a suspicious calcified lower pole lesion which was biopsied subsequently and revealed malignant tissue. External compression of the kidney by this large haematoma was also thought to be contributing to a state of Page kidney. The patient underwent definitive management with an open left-sided radical nephrectomy which confirmed type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma. The patient is now normotensive and back to his baseline function. He will undergo surveillance CT imaging and be referred to familial genetic services.

Keywords: Cancer intervention; Renal medicine; Surgery; Urological surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / complications
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / surgery
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / etiology
  • Hematoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / complications
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Male
  • Nephrectomy