Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma (CAML) with venous tumor thrombus (VTT) and compare them with those of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods Clinical data from six patients with renal CAML complicated by VTT...

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Main Authors: Chang Liu, Yang Sun, Yongyue Zhang, Rongjin Zhang, Liwei Li, Shumin Wang, Huiying He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Urology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01833-4
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author Chang Liu
Yang Sun
Yongyue Zhang
Rongjin Zhang
Liwei Li
Shumin Wang
Huiying He
author_facet Chang Liu
Yang Sun
Yongyue Zhang
Rongjin Zhang
Liwei Li
Shumin Wang
Huiying He
author_sort Chang Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma (CAML) with venous tumor thrombus (VTT) and compare them with those of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods Clinical data from six patients with renal CAML complicated by VTT and 18 with ccRCC complicated by VTT, treated at Peking University Third Hospital from April 2018 and June 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT. Clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, surgical findings, and pathological data were collected, and patients were followed up. Results Enhanced CT showed renal sinus involvement in all CAML cases versus four ccRCC cases (p = 0.002). All primary CAML tumors had fatty components, compared to one ccRCC case (p < 0.001). Enhanced CT also revealed 7 VTTs with fatty components (6 in the CAML group) (p < 0.001). Thrombus lengths in the inferior vena cava (IVC) were 8.05 ± 2.22 cm for CAML and 5.29 ± 2.38 cm for ccRCC, with no significant difference (p = 0.610). The maximum/minimum anteroposterior VTT diameter ratios were 3.98 and 1.09, respectively (p < 0.001); coronal diameter ratios were 4.00 and 1.12, respectively (p < 0.001). Ultrasound revealed that, except for one Mayo Level 0 case, the involved IVC in the CAML group had continuous, intact walls with blood flow signals in the residual lumen, while in the ccRCC group, most VTTs had unclear boundaries and only one case showed blood flow signals in the residual lumen (p = 0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in CAML cases (p = 0.017). No CAML patient had VTT invading the venous wall, unlike 8 ccRCC patients (p = 0.016). All patients were followed for 21–74 months (median: 34.5 months, mean: 36.6 months). All were alive with normal renal function, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed. Conclusion Renal CAML with VTT is characterized by three imaging features: the presence of fatty components, a unique geometric growth pattern, and the absence of venous wall invasion, potentially serving as valuable indicators for differentiating CAML from ccRCC lesions.
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spelling doaj-art-747bb7bb79af470aaef9108f21b896a62025-08-20T03:45:36ZengBMCBMC Urology1471-24902025-07-0125111610.1186/s12894-025-01833-4Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinomaChang Liu0Yang Sun1Yongyue Zhang2Rongjin Zhang3Liwei Li4Shumin Wang5Huiying He6Department of Ultrasound, Peking University Third HospitalDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third HospitalDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third HospitalDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third HospitalDepartment of Ultrasound, China University of Political Science and Law HospitalDepartment of Ultrasound, Peking University Third HospitalDepartment of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science CenterAbstract Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma (CAML) with venous tumor thrombus (VTT) and compare them with those of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods Clinical data from six patients with renal CAML complicated by VTT and 18 with ccRCC complicated by VTT, treated at Peking University Third Hospital from April 2018 and June 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent preoperative ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT. Clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, surgical findings, and pathological data were collected, and patients were followed up. Results Enhanced CT showed renal sinus involvement in all CAML cases versus four ccRCC cases (p = 0.002). All primary CAML tumors had fatty components, compared to one ccRCC case (p < 0.001). Enhanced CT also revealed 7 VTTs with fatty components (6 in the CAML group) (p < 0.001). Thrombus lengths in the inferior vena cava (IVC) were 8.05 ± 2.22 cm for CAML and 5.29 ± 2.38 cm for ccRCC, with no significant difference (p = 0.610). The maximum/minimum anteroposterior VTT diameter ratios were 3.98 and 1.09, respectively (p < 0.001); coronal diameter ratios were 4.00 and 1.12, respectively (p < 0.001). Ultrasound revealed that, except for one Mayo Level 0 case, the involved IVC in the CAML group had continuous, intact walls with blood flow signals in the residual lumen, while in the ccRCC group, most VTTs had unclear boundaries and only one case showed blood flow signals in the residual lumen (p = 0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in CAML cases (p = 0.017). No CAML patient had VTT invading the venous wall, unlike 8 ccRCC patients (p = 0.016). All patients were followed for 21–74 months (median: 34.5 months, mean: 36.6 months). All were alive with normal renal function, and no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed. Conclusion Renal CAML with VTT is characterized by three imaging features: the presence of fatty components, a unique geometric growth pattern, and the absence of venous wall invasion, potentially serving as valuable indicators for differentiating CAML from ccRCC lesions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01833-4Classic angiomyolipomaClear cell renal cell carcinomaTumor thrombusInferior vena cavaUltrasound
spellingShingle Chang Liu
Yang Sun
Yongyue Zhang
Rongjin Zhang
Liwei Li
Shumin Wang
Huiying He
Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
BMC Urology
Classic angiomyolipoma
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Tumor thrombus
Inferior vena cava
Ultrasound
title Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
title_full Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
title_fullStr Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
title_full_unstemmed Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
title_short Clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis: a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
title_sort clinical and imaging characteristics of classic angiomyolipoma with venous tumor thrombosis a comparative analysis against renal cell carcinoma
topic Classic angiomyolipoma
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Tumor thrombus
Inferior vena cava
Ultrasound
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12894-025-01833-4
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