Nephroblastoma with right atrial extension: preoperative diagnosis and management

A 14-year-old black boy, with a large nephroblastoma of the right kidney, had preoperative identification of inferior vena cava and right atrial involvement. Renal arteriography revealed linear arterial channels in the anatomic distribution of the inferior vena cava and venography revealed total caval occlusion and a right atrial mass. Radical excision, using a cardiopulmonary bypass, resulted in a 6-month postoperative survival.