[Cholesterin granuloma in a hemodialysis patient with polycystic kidney disease]

We report a case of cholesterin granuloma of the kidney masquerading as a renal tumor. A 59-year-old man with polycystic kidney disease had been on hemodialysis for 5 years when he developed asymptomatic gross hematuria. Ultrasonography and CT scanning showed a solid mass in the right kidney and nephrectomy was performed. The resected specimen was a 2.0 x 2.0 cm yellowish solid mass. Histological examination showed a granuloma containing numerous cholesterin crystals. A renal mass containing cholesterin crystals is very rare and only one case has been reported previously in Japan.