Case report: a nonfunctioning juxtaglomerular cell tumor mimicking renal cell carcinoma

Based on existing literature, the juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT) is a rare renal tumor, typically present with hypertension and hypokalemia. Nonfunctioning JGCT, without hypertension or hypokalemia, is extremely rare.

Herein, we report a case of nonfunctioning JGCT mimicking renal cell carcinoma. The 29-year-old woman with an unremarkable past medical history presented with a left renal tumor without hypertension or hypokalemia.

Both CT and 18F-FDG-PET/CT suggested a malignancy, possibly renal cell carcinoma.

The tumor was then removed completely via robotic assistant laparoscopic partial nephrectomy; and pathology result was JGCT. Since the patient had no hypertension or hypokalemia, a nonfunctional JGCT was diagnosed.

The patient recovered uneventfully, and was in good health in 6-months' follow-up period.

Preoperative identification of JGCT is very difficult due to the lack of specific clinical manifestations. This case teaches us that for young patients with renal tumors whose CT enhancement is not obvious at the early phase, JGCT should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Radical nephrectomy should be avoided for JGCT in consideration of its relatively good prognosis.