Computed tomography in the diagnosis of oncopathology in end-stage renal disease: A case report
Authors: Tanirkhanova Elvira  Zh. , Zhussupbekova Lazzat  I. , Turebekov Duman  K. , Zhakeyeva Bayana  K. , Baimukanova Tamilla  T. , Zhantugan Aigerim 
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND: In recent years, an increasing tendency of oncopathology in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was observed. Clinical data demonstrate an increased risk of malignization in patients with decreased renal function. The cohort study (2022) reported a cumulative incidence of cancer in nephrology patients ranging from 10.8% to 15.3%. A high percentage of stage IV cancers were detected in patients with CKD at the time of diagnosis. In 2022, the American Association for Cancer Research published the results of a Mendelian Randomization Study examining the causal relationship between CKD and the risk of developing 19 local cancers, including renal cell cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia, and colorectal cancer. Several studies found a direct correlation between a decreased glomerular filtration rate and the development of oncopathologies. Therefore, cancer awareness is important in the management of patients with CKD. In patients with end-stage chronic renal disease (ESRD) who are on hemodialysis, X-ray diagnosis with iodine-containing radiopaque agents is possible without additional risk of kidney damage.
AIM: To demonstratу the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of oncopathology in a patient with CKD to attract the attention of physicians to the importance of using advanced diagnostic techniques in patients with CKD.
METHODS: A clinical case of a 32-year-old patient M. who was hospitalized in the Therapeutic Department of Multidisciplinary City Hospital No. 2 in Astana was presented.
RESULTS: A patient with ESRD resulting from chronic glomerulonephritis in a hypertensive form complained of dyspnea at rest, cough with difficult sputum, right thoracic pain, general weakness, and weight loss of 8 kg in 1 month. Past medical history showed that the patient was on alternate program hemodialysis for 4 years. Deterioration occurred within 3 months. The patient was examined at the place of residence. CT scan showed signs of tuberculosis of the upper right lobe (?) and lymphadenopathy of intrathoracic and axillary lymph nodes. A neoplasm was not excluded. The patient was consulted by a phthisiatrician, GeneXpert sputum was performed, and tuberculosis was excluded. In dynamics, ultrasound was conducted due to increasing dyspnea. Fluid accumulation in the pericardial and pleural cavities was detected. A pulmonologist assessed the situation as uremic pericarditis, pleurisy on the right side, and right-sided pneumonia in the upper lobe of unclear genesis. Antibacterial therapy was prescribed. Due to a significant deterioration of the condition, the patient went to the city hospital. At admission, respiratory failure, pain syndrome in the chest area, and marked asthenization up to cachexia were observed. Ultrasound of pleural cavities showed free fluid in the pleural cavity on the right (770 ml) and left (110 ml), whereas abdominal ultrasound revealed cavernous hemangiomas of the liver (?), echogenic suspension of the gallbladder, and splenomegaly. Echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesis of all left ventricular walls. Grade 12 pulmonary hypertension was detected. Systolic function of the left ventricle was moderately decreased. Effusion in the pericardial cavity in the volume of 430 ml and congestion in the inferior vena cava were found. A patient with ESRD was on program hemodialysis for 4 years, which allowed the use of contrast-enhanced X-ray imaging techniques without the risk of additional renal damage. Contrast-enhanced chest CT showed pronounced right-sided pleurisy. Given the presence of foci of contrast agent accumulation in the structure of the parietal pleura, malignancy was not excluded (mesothelioma?). Indolent left-sided pleurisy, segmental and subsegmental compression atelectasis of the right lung, distinct edema and thickening of interlobular septa of both lungs, and single dense foci of I/II, III segments of the left lung up to 4.2 mm in diameter were detected. In addition, chronic bronchitis, pericarditis, and lymphadenopathy of subclavian, intrathoracic, and axillary lymph nodes up to 15.0 mm in diameter (malignancy not excluded) were revealed. Osteosclerosis foci of the Th3 vertebral body measuring 4.75.1 mm was observed. Contrast-enhanced abdominal and retroperineal CT scan showed a focal mass of the IVa segment of the liver measuring 17.315.916.4 mm (malignancy not excluded), chronic calculous cholecystitis, chronic pancreatitis, lymphadenopathy of intra-abdominal para-aortic and mesenteric lymph nodes up to 18.0 mm in size (malignancy not excluded), reduced size of both kidneys (contracted kidneys), and a cystic mass in the left ovary measuring 39.442.034.5 mm (35 HU). Patient was consulted by an oncologist: pleural mesothelioma? Metastasis in the liver? Consultation with a thoracic surgeon to decide on morphological verification was recommended. A biopsy was planned at the place of residence; however, morphological verification of oncopathology was not performed due to the patients lethal outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: This clinical case of a patient with ESRD on hemodialysis demonstrates the importance of contrast-enhanced CT to diagnose oncopathology.