Introduction: Renal pseudotumors simulate malignancy but they are, in fact, comprised of normal renal tissue.
Renal pseudotumors include both congenital as well as acquired causes, and they cause considerable anxiety. Many reports are available in the literature where the diagnosis has been clinched only after nephrectomy.
Case report: We report the case of a 52-year-old male who was referred with the diagnosis of left renal-cell carcinoma upon ultrasound. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan finalized the diagnosis of hypertrophied column of Bertin, as there was uniform uptake of contrast noted in the entire kidney. The patient was reassured, and he was relieved of his anxiety. This case is highlighted because congenital hypertrophied columns of Bertin can mimic a renal mass lesion.
Conclusion: Renal pseudotumors are not uncommon, and if they are diagnosed preoperatively with appropriate imaging, invasive interventions like biopsy and radical surgeries can be avoided.
KEYWORDS: Renal pseudotumor, hypertrophied column of Bertin, renal mass
CORRESPONDENCE: D. Paul Vincent, MBBS, DNB (Surgery), DNB (Urology), Consultant Urologist, MIMS Hospital, Kottakkal, Malappuram District, Kerala, India 676503 ( )
CITATION: UroToday Int J. 2013 February;6(1):art 4.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3834/uij.1944-5784.2013.02.04
