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Focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis -- a diagnostic dilemma
Muhammad Sarwar Hussain1, Vinay Kumar Bhagat
1Department of Urology, Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Hospital, Bisha, P.O. Box 60, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. sarwardr@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Focal Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis (XGPN) may be erroneously interpreted as renal cell carcinoma. We report a case of a young Philippino who presented with persisting right flank pain for 2 years. Imaging showed a well-delineated lesion in the lower pole of the right kidney extending to the hilum. Nephrectomy was performed under a tentative diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma, whereas histology revealed focal XGPN. Pre-operative diagnosis of focal XGPN was difficult because of radiological similarities to renal cell carcinoma and lack of the usual clinical presentation.
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