Ultrasonic based differential diagnosis of renal cysts

Abstract

Background: Renal masses can be broadly categorized into cysts, tumors and inflammatory lesions. Although simple cysts are usually asymptomatic, they occasionally cause flank or abdominal pain, a palpable abdominal mass or hematuria. This study was conducted to see the role of ultrasonography in evaluation of renal cysts.

Methods: This descriptive study was carried out at Department of Radiology & Urology Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana, from January 2009 to April 2010. One hundred (symptomatic or asymptomatic) patients of either sex with renal cysts detected on ultrasonography were included in the study. Along with history, physical examination renal ultrasonography was performed to see the site, size and number of cysts. Just Vision ultrasound machine by Toshiba with 3.5 MHz convex, multi frequency probe was used for kidneys examination.

Results: Among 100 patients. 72 were males and 28 females, with male to female ratio 2.5:1. Age range was 1-100 years. Among these, 40 patients presented with symptoms but 60 were asymptomatic. In this series there were 89% cases of simple renal cyst, followed by, 7% hydronephrosis, 2% renal cystic disease, 1% polycystic kidney disease, 1% hematoma.

Conclusion: The most common differential diagnosis of renal cyst is simple cortical renal cyst with highest incidence in 6th and 7th decades of life. The least common is polycystic kidney disease and hematoma. Ultrasound is a simple and effective means for detection and differential diagnosis of renal cysts.