Acute renal failure associated with bilateral enlargement of the kidneys: a rare manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

ABSTRACT

We report a 6-year-old patient who presented with acute renal failure resolving after vigorous intravenous hydration. Renal biopsy was taken because of unexplained enlargement of both kidneys. Histological workup showed infiltration by lymphoblasts while blood counts showed a normal differential. Subsequent bone marrow aspiration revealed 34% lymphoblasts of T-lineage origin, leading to the diagnosis of T-ALL. This case underlines that malignant hematologic infiltration should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained renal failure and enlarged kidneys.