Huge Renal Leiomyoma Masqurading as Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma: a case report

Abstract Background Renal leiomyoma is an extremely rare benign tumour of the kidney. It is mostly asymptomatic. Our aim was to report the first case of symptomatic renal leiomyoma in Nigeria which was suspected to be renal cell carcinoma and our objective was to document the clinical, radiological, histological and treatment of this rare lesion. Case presentation We describe a 46-year-old woman with a two-week history of right flank pain and intermittent haematuria. The examination was remarkable for the ballotable right kidney. Abdominopelvic sonogram and computed tomography were suggestive of cystic right renal mass with suspicion of right renal cell carcinoma. She had surgical resection of the mass and histopathological analysis showed renal leiomyoma. Conclusion We have illustrated our experience on the first case of symptomatic renal leiomyoma masquerading as cystic renal cell carcinoma in Nigeria. A high index of suspicion is required for accurate diagnosis. This may go a long way in considering kidney-sparing surgery rather than radical nephrectomy.