OBJECTIVE: Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) is a recently described variety of renal cell carcinoma with characteristic pathologic and clinical features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the imaging findings of MCRCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten adult patients with pathologically proven unilateral MCRCC who underwent renal US and CT were included in this study. The radiologic findings were retrospectively evaluated for cystic content, wall, septum, nodularity, calcification and solid portion by three radiologists who established a consensus. Imaging and postnephrectomy pathologic findings were compared. RESULTS: All patients were adults (six males and four females) and their ages ranged from 33 to 68 years (mean, 46). On US and CT images, all tumors appeared as well-defined multilocular cystic masses composed of serous or complicated fluid. In all patients, unenhanced CT scans revealed hypodense cystic portions, and in four tumors, due to the presence of hemorrhage or gelatinous fluid, some hyperdense areas were also noted. In no tumor was an expansile solid nodule seen in the thin septa, and in only one was there dystrophic calcification in a septum. Small areas of solid portion constituting less than 10% of the entire lesion were found in six of the ten tumors, and these areas were slightly enhanced on enhanced CT scans. In all patients, imaging and pathologic findings correlated closely. CONCLUSION: On US and CT images, MCRCC appeared as a well-defined multilocular cystic mass with serous, proteinaceous or hemorrhagic fluid, with no expansile solid nodules in the thin septa, and sometimes with small slightly enhanced solid areas. Where radiologic examinations demonstrate a cystic renal mass of this kind in adult males, MCRCC should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Human ; Kidney Neoplasms/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Kidney, Cystic/radiography/ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Age ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) is a recently described variety of renal cell carcinoma with characteristic pathologic and clinical features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the imaging findings of MCRCCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten adult patients with pathologically proven unilateral MCRCC who underwent renal US and CT were included in this study. The radiologic findings were retrospectively evaluated for cystic content, wall, septum, nodularity, calcification and solid portion by three radiologists who established a consensus. Imaging and postnephrectomy pathologic findings were compared. RESULTS: All patients were adults (six males and four females) and their ages ranged from 33 to 68 years (mean, 46). On US and CT images, all tumors appeared as well-defined multilocular cystic masses composed of serous or complicated fluid. In all patients, unenhanced CT scans revealed hypodense cystic portions, and in four tumors, due to the presence of hemorrhage or gelatinous fluid, some hyperdense areas were also noted. In no tumor was an expansile solid nodule seen in the thin septa, and in only one was there dystrophic calcification in a septum. Small areas of solid portion constituting less than 10% of the entire lesion were found in six of the ten tumors, and these areas were slightly enhanced on enhanced CT scans. In all patients, imaging and pathologic findings correlated closely. CONCLUSION: On US and CT images, MCRCC appeared as a well-defined multilocular cystic mass with serous, proteinaceous or hemorrhagic fluid, with no expansile solid nodules in the thin septa, and sometimes with small slightly enhanced solid areas. Where radiologic examinations demonstrate a cystic renal mass of this kind in adult males, MCRCC should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Human ; Kidney Neoplasms/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Kidney, Cystic/radiography/ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Age ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To carry out long-term follow-up of patients diagnosed with asymptomatic simple renal cysts (SRCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight adult patients in whom SRCs were incidentally diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography or abdominopelvic computed tomography between August 1994 and June 2004 were followed up for over 10 years. The retrospective analysis investigated sequential changes in the size, shape, and Bosniak classification of the renal cyst and analyzed risk factors for increased size and growth rate of the cysts. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 13.9 years (range, 10.0-19.8 years). Median patient age was 54.1 years (range, 22-86 years). Mean maximal cyst size was 33 mm (range, 2-90 mm). Among all patients, 120 (76%) showed a mean increase in maximum renal cyst diameter of 1.4 mm (6.4%) per year. Age at initial diagnosis was a risk factor for increased renal cyst maximum diameter. The probability of an increase in maximum diameter of an SRC was 7.1 times greater in patients aged 50 years or older at diagnosis than in those aged less than 50 years. However, among patients with an increased maximum diameter, the mean growth rate was lower in patients aged > or =50 years than in those aged <50 years. CONCLUSIONS: About three-quarters of adult patients with accidentally diagnosed SRCs presented with an increased maximum diameter. The only risk factor for an increase in maximum diameter was age. In patients with an increase in the maximum diameter, the growth rate of the maximum diameter was 6.4% per year during 10 years and decreased with age.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cysts/*radiography/*ultrasonography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic/*pathology/radiography/ultrasonography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the efficacies of 95% ethanol and 20% hypertonic saline (HS) sclerotherapies that were performed in a single session under CT guidance for the management of simple renal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective series of 74 consecutive patients (average age: 57.6 +/- 8.1 years) with simple renal cysts were enrolled in this study. They were randomized into two groups and 95% ethanol or 20% HS, respectively, corresponding to 25% of the aspiration volume, was injected. Treatment success was determined six months later with follow-up clinical evaluation and performing ultrasonography. RESULTS: The sclerotherapy was accepted as technically successful without major complications in all except two patients who were excluded because of a communication between the simple renal cyst and the pelvicalyceal collecting system. Thirty-six patients in the ethanol group received sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol and 36 patients in the HS group underwent sclerotherapy with 20% HS. The complete regression ratio of the ethanol group was significantly higher (94% versus 72%, respectively) than that of the HS group. There was one patient with partial regression in each group. The failure ratio of the ethanol group was significantly lower (3% versus 25%, respectively) than that of the HS group. CONCLUSION: Ethanol sclerotherapy under CT guidance is a successful and safe procedure and it can be used for the treatment of simple renal cysts. Sclerotherapy with 95% ethanol is more effective than 20% HS sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy with HS may be an option for patients preferring to undergo a less painful treatment procedure.
Adult ; Aged ; Ethanol/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney/drug effects/radiography/ultrasonography ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic/*drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic/administration & dosage ; Sclerosing Solutions/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use ; Sclerotherapy/adverse effects/*methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods ; Treatment Outcome