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A patient with a juxtaglomerular cell tumor with histological vascular invasion

Nature Clinical Practice Nephrology volume 4, pages 458–462 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 51-year-old woman was referred to the Hypertension Clinic of L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec Hospital, University of Québec Hospital Centre, with hypertension. Her hypertension had been evolving for approximately 30 years and was refractory to maximum doses of four antihypertensive agents. Routine blood testing revealed mild hypokalemia.

Investigations Physical examination, urine and blood analyses including measurement of renin and aldosterone levels, echocardiography, fundoscopy, abdominal–pelvis CT scan and histopathology studies.

Diagnosis Juxtaglomerular cell tumor with vascular invasion.

Management Radical nephrectomy, and follow-up visits to monitor blood pressure and renin levels.

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Figure 1: Macroscopic image of the nephrectomized right kidney, showing the tumor at the superior pole.
Figure 2: Photomicrograph of tumor tissue (original magnification × 400; hematoxylin–eosin stain).
Figure 3: Photomicrograph of tumor tissue (original magnification × 100; hematoxylin–eosin stain) showing that the tumor extended into a venous lumen.
Figure 4: Photomicrograph of tumor tissue (original magnification × 25; anti-renin antibody) showing that tumor cells were immunoreactive for renin.

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Acknowledgements

Désirée Lie, University of California, Irvine, CA, is the author of and is solely responsible for the content of the learning objectives, questions and answers of the Medscape-accredited continuing medical education activity associated with this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. B Têtu is Professor of Pathology at Laval University and Chief of the Hospital Pathology Division and M Lebel is Professor of Medicine at Laval University and Nephrologist at the University of Québec Hospital Centre, J Beaudoin is an Internal Medicine Resident, M Périgny is a Pathology Resident, L'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec Hospital, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,

    Jonathan Beaudoin, Martine Périgny, Bernard Têtu & Marcel Lebel

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  1. Jonathan Beaudoin
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  2. Martine Périgny
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Correspondence to Marcel Lebel.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Beaudoin, J., Périgny, M., Têtu, B. et al. A patient with a juxtaglomerular cell tumor with histological vascular invasion. Nat Rev Nephrol 4, 458–462 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneph0890

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