Renal sinus lipomatosis

Renal sinus lipomatosis refers to a condition where there is excessive renal sinus fat replacement.

Pathology

It results from renal parenchymal atrophy, inflammation, calculous disease, aging, or exogenous or endogenous steroids.

There is usually no or rarely little mass effect on the collecting system.

Variants

• replacement lipomatosis of the kidney: an advanced massive form of renal sinus lipomatosis, in which infection, renal calculi, and long-standing hydronephrosis are accompanied by severe renal parenchymal atrophy; might be with mass effect causing attenuation and stretching of the collecting system

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

Often shows enlarged echogenic central sinuses. The central distribution of adipose tissue in the renal sinus is considered characteristic.

CT/MRI

Useful for confirming pure fat content.

Differential diagnosis

Possible differential considerations include:

• xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: on ultrasound
• fat-containing renal tumors
  • renal angiomyolipoma
  • renal lipoma
  • renal liposarcoma

Siehe auch:

• Angiomyolipom der Niere
• Renal replacement lipomatosis