# Resolution of hypokalemia following nephrectomy for a presumed renal cell carcinoma revealing a large angiomyolipoma: A case report

## TL;DR

A patient with hypokalemia and suspected kidney cancer was found to have a benign tumor, resolving his symptoms after surgery.

## Contribution

Highlights the diagnostic challenge of minimal-fat angiomyolipomas mimicking renal cell carcinoma and the potential for kidney-sparing surgery.

## Key findings

- A 56-year-old male with hypokalemia and paralysis had a radical nephrectomy due to suspected RCC.
- Histopathology revealed an 8 cm angiomyolipoma instead of cancer, and hypokalemia resolved post-surgery.
- The case suggests accurate preoperative diagnosis could have allowed a less invasive surgical approach.

## Abstract

Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are benign tumors that can mimic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) when fat content is minimal. We report a 56-year-old male with recurrent paralysis and hypokalemia, presumed to be a paraneoplastic syndrome of RCC, prompting radical nephrectomy. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed an 8 cm AML, and hypokalemia resolved post-surgery. This case underscores the diagnostic challenge of minimal-fat AMLs and suggests that an accurate preoperative diagnosis could have enabled kidney-sparing surgery.