Urol Case Rep

. 2025 Sep 16:63:103217.

 doi: 10.1016/j.eucr.2025.103217. eCollection 2025 Nov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41050525/

Papillary renal cell carcinoma in an ectopic intrathoracic kidney within Bochdalek hernia: A case report

Erin Catherine Schnell ¹, Madeline Elise Becker ¹, Paul Gerard McQuillen ¹, Alexandra Paige Foster ¹, Elizabeth Ann Allen ¹, Jeffrey Edward Bransky Jr ¹, Joshua Zachary Nellis ¹, Joseph Michael Zavell ¹, James N Conner ¹, Jeffrey K Mullins ¹

Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 41050525
• PMCID: PMC12494574
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eucr.2025.103217

Abstract

Intrathoracic kidneys, an uncommon form of ectopic kidneys, often occur with congenital diaphragmatic hernias. We report a case of a 72-year-old male with a left-sided Bochdalek hernia containing an intrathoracic kidney, incidentally discovered on imaging for abdominal discomfort and respiratory symptoms. Imaging revealed a suspicious renal mass, which led to a partial nephrectomy and the diagnosis of papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC), a rare finding in ectopic kidneys. Postoperative follow-up demonstrated no recurrence or metastasis. This case highlights the importance of monitoring intrathoracic kidneys for potential complications and the challenges in diagnosing and managing ectopically located renal tumors.

© 2025 The Authors.