Friday, August 12, 2011

Sonography of angiomyolipoma:



This middle aged female patient shows two small, echogenic, rounded lesions in the right kidney. Typical location (the right kidney is the common site for angiomyolipomas) and characteristic ultrasound features are seen in this ultrasound video of the right kidney. The images below show the twin angiomyolipomas, one in the upper pole, and barely visible, and the slightly larger lesion in the lower pole.


















     





































If close to the renal sinus, renal angiomyolipomas may be confused with the sinus fat echoes. Fortunately, in this patient both lesions are well within the renal cortex.
Also, regarding angiomyolipomas- it may be noted that these kidney tumors may be associated with LAM, or lymphangioleiomyomatosis. This is a progressive lung disease consistent with numerous lung cysts leading to progressive COPD. There are only 2000 known cases in the world today. It is a women's disease presumably associated with estrogen. Women with LAM may present with pneumothorax in pregnancy. Chest x-ray does not show the lung cysts, but CT scan imaging is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. When angiomyolipomas are seen a good clinical history should be taken and the possibility of LAM should be considered. There is no cure however recent research has shown promise in drugs to slow the progression of LAM. 
For more on this topic visit: http://www.ultrasound-images.com/kidneys.htm#Renal_angiomyolipoma_-%28AML%29_of_right_kidney

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