Acute kidney injury secondary to renal large B-cell lymphoma: role of early renal biopsy

Int Urol Nephrol. 2011 Mar;43(1):237-40. doi: 10.1007/s11255-010-9728-5. Epub 2010 Mar 31.

Abstract

Renal involvement in large B-cell lymphoma represents an exceptional manifestation of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Acute kidney injury (AKI) by lymphomatous infiltration is extremely rare and so far only 19 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a 67-year-old woman who presented with AKI and was found to have large B-cell lymphoma infiltrating her kidneys. The patient was treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) with rituximab, and a dramatic improvement of renal function was noticed after two weeks of treatment. Her renal function completely recovered after four weeks of treatment. In conclusion, lymphomatous infiltration of kidneys can directly lead to AKI. Rapid diagnosis and treatment is essential to preserve the renal function. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for the early diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma as a cause of AKI.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / pathology
  • Aged
  • Biopsy / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Early Diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / complications*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / complications*
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology