Atypical focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis without clinical symptoms presenting as infiltrative renal cancer: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an uncommon form of chronic pyelonephritis. Most patients of XGP are diffuse in radiology and the clinical features are typical. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of 24-year-old female with the absence of symptoms and normal laboratory examinations. Contrast computed tomography and intravenous pyelography demonstrate infiltrative renal mass and renal cell carcinoma is presumed. Laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy is performed, but the final pathological result shows XGP. CONCLUSIONS: As far as we know, this is the first case report of XGP without any symptoms/signs and with normal laboratory examinations. The diagnosis of atypical XGP is challenging and preoperative renal mass biopsy should be considered in special cases.