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Renal Endometriosis Mimicking a Malignancy—a Rare Case of Reno-Mullerian Fusion?

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition characterised by ectopic endometrial tissue growth beyond the uterine cavity. Urinary tract endometriosis represents only 1.2% of all cases, with renal endometriosis accounting for less than 1% of urinary tract involvement. An asymptomatic, 49-year-old, perimenopausal Irish female was found to have an incidental mass at the upper pole of the right kidney on imaging studies. Histological analysis was recommended to outrule a renal malignancy and an open radical nephrectomy was performed following multidisciplinary input. Histological analysis surprisingly revealed the presence of endometriosis and endosalpingiosis, accompanied by a significant smooth muscle component, which mimicked a renal neoplasm. The aetiology of renal endometriosis remains unclear. However, given the lack of a history of endometriosis and the absence of other foci of disease in this patient, together with the smooth muscle predominant phenotype, this may represent a case of reno-mullerian fusion or endometrial displacement during gestational development.

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Contributions

Dr. Diarmuid O’Connor: Primary author of the manuscript; editor of the manuscript; sourced and formatted all histology images utilised.

Dr. Kevin Gerard Byrnes: Editor of the manuscript; gained written consent from the patient.

Professor Kilian Walsh: Editor of the manuscript.

Professor Gerard O’Sullivan: Sourced and vetted all radiology images utilised.

Dr. Teresa McHale: Supervising consultant of the case report; selected the case as a case of interest; editor of the manuscript; vetted all images utilised.

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Correspondence to Diarmuid O’Connor.

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O’Connor, D., Byrnes, K.G., Walsh, K. et al. Renal Endometriosis Mimicking a Malignancy—a Rare Case of Reno-Mullerian Fusion?. SN Compr. Clin. Med. 3, 2339–2344 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-021-01001-3

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