Trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and radiofrequency ablation of renal tumor: Rare etiologies of chyluria

Abstract

Chyluria is a rare entity which is caused by abnormal communication between the lymphatic system and the urinary tract, which allows the passage of chyle into the urine. Whenever symptomatic, chyluria presents with lower urinary tract symptoms such as dysuria and hematuria. Multiple imaging modalities can aid in diagnosis such as lymphoscintigraphy, retrograde pyelography, CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, and magnetic resonance imaging. Numerous etiologies are associated with chyluria among which are surgical interventions. Partial and radical nephrectomy have been reported in a number of symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, while radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors has been very rarely reported.Herein, we report 2 cases of chyluria; one caused by trans-urethral resection of a bladder tumor and another by radiofrequency ablation of a renal oncocytoma. Fat-fluid level in the urinary bladder was seen on both precontrast and postcontrast images of CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. Cystoscopy demonstrated no evidence of any abnormality of the urinary bladder.

Keywords

• Chyluria
• Fat-fluid level
• Imaging modalities
• Surgical interventions
• Renal tumors