Can contrast enhanced ultrasound differentiate benign cystic nephroma from malignant multicystic renal lesions? A case report

Nicholas Chua; Konrad Wolfe; Sampi Mehta; Sidath H Liyanage

doi:10.1016/j.eucr.2019.101079

Can contrast enhanced ultrasound differentiate benign cystic nephroma from malignant multicystic renal lesions? A case report

Urol Case Rep. 2019 Nov 22:29:101079. doi: 10.1016/j.eucr.2019.101079. eCollection 2020 Mar.

Authors

Nicholas Chua¹, Konrad Wolfe², Sampi Mehta³, Sidath H Liyanage⁴

Affiliations

¹ Radiology Department, Basildon University Hospital, Essex, UK.
² Histopathology Department, Southend University Hospital, Essex, UK.
³ Department of Urology, Southend University Hospital, Essex, UK.
⁴ Radiology Department, Southend University Hospital, Essex, UK.

Abstract

Multicystic renal lesions pose a diagnostic dilemma and standard imaging may not be able to differentiate between benign or malignant lesions. Adult cystic nephroma and multicystic renal cell carcinoma are two such cystic renal lesions. We describe the appearance of cystic nephroma using contrast enhanced ultrasound. We hypothesize how quantitative parameters using time intensity curves appear to be able to distinguish between cystic nephroma and other malignant lesions such as multicystic renal cell carcinoma. This differentiation is of importance as it may obviate the need for tissue sampling and allow the clinician to recommend conservative management rather than nephrectomy.

Keywords: Contrast ultrasound; Cystic nephroma; Multicystic renal cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Case Reports