Imaging evidence for renomegaly in patients with POEMS syndrome

Rationale and Objectives: Organomegaly in POEMS syndrome generally refers to the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. This study investigates whether there is a significant difference in kidney sizes in patients with POEMS compared to normal controls. Materials and Methods: Calculated kidney volumes from 77 patients with POEMS syndrome who had undergone imaging by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging were compared to frequency-matched controls. For the POEMS patients and the controls, the volume of each kidney was obtained from a three-dimensional segmentation algorithm. Univariate and multiple variable linear regression models were used to identify any differences in kidney size between normal and POEMS patients. Results: There was a univariate statistically significant association between disease state and the difference in kidney volume; having POEMS was associated with 16.3 cm ³ greater kidney volume difference compared to control patients, P < .001. Using a multiple variable model and after adjusting for age, sex, and the smaller kidney size, there was a statistically significant association between disease state and the difference in kidney volume; having POEMS was associated with 16.8 cm ³ greater kidney volume compared to control patients, P < .001. There was not an independent statistically significant association between age, sex, or volume of the smaller kidney and the difference in kidney volume. Conclusion: This confirms what is known or suspected clinically, that organomegaly in POEMS includes renomegaly.