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Atypical thymic carcinoid manifesting with nephrotic-range proteinuria in a 7-year-old boy

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Abstract

Background

Nephrotic-range proteinuria as a paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) is an exceptional presentation, especially in children. It is usually associated with hematologic malignancies. Solid tumors are very rare causes of proteinuria.

Case-Diagnosis/Treatment

We present the case of a 7-year-old boy with an extremely rare atypical thymic carcinoid accompanied by nephrotic-range proteinuria as PNS. The kidney biopsy was consistent with minimal change disease (MCD). Tests for a neuroendocrine tumor were performed due to symptoms of hypercortisolemia and an elevated concentration of chromogranin A in the serum. The chest computed tomography revealed a tumor in the anterior mediastinum, which was diagnosed as an atypical thymic carcinoid. A complete resolution of the nephrotic-range proteinuria was observed within 1 week after the first thoracoscopic surgery, with almost complete reduction of the tumor mass.

Conclusions

This extremely rare case shows that MCD can occur as a PNS even in children. Nephrotic-range proteinuria can be a symptom of malignant solid tumor. This case highlights the possibility of secondary causes of MCD in children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Nephrology and Hypertension, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 27/33 Szpitalna Str, 60-572, Poznan, Poland

    Jolanta Soltysiak, Danuta Ostalska-Nowicka & Jacek Zachwieja

  2. Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

    Katarzyna Zaorska & Karolina Sterzyńska

  3. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

    Katarzyna Derwich

Authors
  1. Jolanta Soltysiak
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  2. Danuta Ostalska-Nowicka
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  3. Katarzyna Zaorska
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  4. Karolina Sterzyńska
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  5. Katarzyna Derwich
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  6. Jacek Zachwieja
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jolanta Soltysiak.

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Soltysiak, J., Ostalska-Nowicka, D., Zaorska, K. et al. Atypical thymic carcinoid manifesting with nephrotic-range proteinuria in a 7-year-old boy. Pediatr Nephrol 32, 1465–1468 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-017-3685-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-017-3685-5

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