Castleman's disease: an unusual retroperitoneal mass

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Castleman's disease (angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder.
• It typically affects lymph nodes but can present as an extranodal mass.
• Retroperitoneal masses often raise suspicion for malignancy, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

• A case of the hyaline vascular variant of Castleman's disease is presented.
• The disease manifested as an isolated, calcified pararenal mass.
• Radiographic features were initially indistinguishable from retroperitoneal malignancies.

Findings:

• Computerized tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging characteristics of the lesion are detailed.
• The imaging findings are discussed in the context of differentiating Castleman's disease from other retroperitoneal masses.
• Histopathological confirmation of the hyaline vascular variant is crucial.

Implications:

• Recognizing Castleman's disease in its extranodal presentation is vital for accurate diagnosis.
• Advanced imaging techniques play a key role in characterizing such rare retroperitoneal masses.
• Appropriate management strategies can be planned once the diagnosis is confirmed, avoiding unnecessary aggressive treatments for malignancy.