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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Medical Case Reports

Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia in a postpartum woman managed with renal decapsulation: a case report with follow-up after a subsequent pregnancy

  • André Torbey1
  • Fares Kahal2
  • Massa Johari3
  • Sinan Abdulkader4
  • Mazen Dughly5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Plastic Surgery Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland UK
  2. 2Faculty of Medicine, Syrian Private University, Damascus, Syria
  3. 3Damascus Hospital, Damascus, Syria
  4. 4New Medical Center Hospital, Damascus, Syria
  5. 5MRI Unit, Al Shifa Hospital, Damascus, Syria
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Abstract

Background: Renal lymphangiectasia is a rare benign disorder involving the dilatation of renal lymphatic channels. While often incidental, it can cause significant morbidity through renal compression. We report a unique case of symptomatic bilateral disease presenting in the immediate postpartum period, managed with a novel surgical approach.

Case presentation: A 23-year-old female presented five days postpartum with progressive left flank pain, nausea, and a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated large bilateral perinephric fluid collections causing substantial compression of the kidneys and adjacent organs, along with moderate ascites. Fluid analysis from a perinephric drain was consistent with lymph.

Interventions: Due to severe compressive effects and early recurrence following percutaneous drainage, the patient underwent laparoscopic surgical intervention. The procedure involved the complete excision of the markedly thickened renal capsule (decapsulation) and the creation of a posterior peritoneal drainage window to facilitate continuous fluid absorption.

Conclusion: At 16 months post-operation, imaging confirmed significant radiological regression and preserved renal function. Notably, follow-up extended after a subsequent pregnancy showed no recurrence of fluid collections, and the patient remained asymptomatic. Complete renal decapsulation with a peritoneal window provided definitive treatment in this severe bilateral case.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{torbey2026bilateral,
  title = {{Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia in a postpartum woman managed with renal decapsulation: a case report with follow-up after a subsequent pregnancy}},
  author = {André Torbey and Fares Kahal and Massa Johari and Sinan Abdulkader and Mazen Dughly},
  journal = {Journal of Medical Case Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s13256-026-06430-z},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-026-06430-z},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Bilateral renal lymphangiectasia in a postpartum woman managed with renal decapsulation: a case report with follow-up after a subsequent pregnancy
AU  - André Torbey
AU  - Fares Kahal
AU  - Massa Johari
AU  - Sinan Abdulkader
AU  - Mazen Dughly
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/06
JO  - Journal of Medical Case Reports
DO  - 10.1186/s13256-026-06430-z
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-026-06430-z
AB  - Background: Renal lymphangiectasia is a rare benign disorder involving the dilatation of renal lymphatic channels. While often incidental, it can cause significant morbidity through renal compression. We report a unique case of symptomatic bilateral disease presenting in the immediate postpartum period, managed with a novel surgical approach.  Case presentation: A 23-year-old female presented five days postpartum with progressive left flank pain, nausea, and a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated large bilateral perinephric fluid collections causing substantial compression of the kidneys and adjacent organs, along with moderate ascites. Fluid analysis from a perinephric drain was consistent with lymph.  Interventions: Due to severe compressive effects and early recurrence following percutaneous drainage, the patient underwent laparoscopic surgical intervention. The procedure involved the complete excision of the markedly thickened renal capsule (decapsulation) and the creation of a posterior peritoneal drainage window to facilitate continuous fluid absorption.  Conclusion: At 16 months post-operation, imaging confirmed significant radiological regression and preserved renal function. Notably, follow-up extended after a subsequent pregnancy showed no recurrence of fluid collections, and the patient remained asymptomatic. Complete renal decapsulation with a peritoneal window provided definitive treatment in this severe bilateral case.
SN  - 1752-1947
ER  -