Wrist drop: an atypical presentation of renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) causing metastasis to the skeletal muscles is extremely rare. The authors describe a patient with history of RCC treated 5 years ago with radical nephrectomy who presented with left arm swelling after receiving seasonal flu shot. He was initially diagnosed with cellulitis, treated with intravenous antibiotics and discharged home. One month later, he presented with persistent left arm swelling accompanied by wrist drop. Subsequently he developed increased swelling, decreased pulse and wrist drop. He was diagnosed with compartment syndrome, for which fasciotomy was performed, and tissue samples were sent for analysis. Histopathological analysis confirmed metastatic clear cell RCC. The authors described a literature review of previously described cases of metastasis of renal cell cancer to the skeletal muscles. The authors also discussed the rarity of muscle metastasis and unpredictable behavior of RCC after being dormant for long periods.