Cystic nephroma of childhood: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Cystic nephroma of childhood is a rare renal tumor. It is generally considered as a benign end of the spectrum with cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma and nephroblastoma (Wilms tumor). Most of the cases are unilateral and sporadic. However, bilateral and familial cases have also been reported. The clinical presentation is usually as an asymptomatic abdominal mass. It is almost impossible to differentiate cystic nephroma from cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma or other cystic renal tumor on radiological studies. The final diagnosis depends on the histopathologic examination. We present a case of an 8-month-old female baby with a left renal tumor. The patient accepted left total nephrectomy after physical examinations and radiological studies. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of variable-sized cysts separated by fibrous septa without blastemal elements. A diagnosis of cystic nephroma was made.

Keywords

• cystic nephroma
• cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma
• nephroblastoma