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Acquired
renal cysts are simple cysts that must be distinguished from more
serious causes of cystic disease.
Acquired cysts are usually simple, ie, they are round and sharply demarcated with smooth walls. They may be single or multiple.
Single cysts are isolated (or few in number) and are most often detected incidentally. They are clinically insignificant but must be distinguished from other more significant cystic renal disorders and renal masses such as renal cell carcinoma, which is typically irregular or multiloculated with irregular walls, septae, and areas of unclear demarcation.
Multiple cysts are most common in patients with chronic renal failure, especially those undergoing hemodialysis. Cause is unknown, but the cysts may be due to compensatory hyperplasia of residually functioning nephrons. Criterion for diagnosis is ≥ 4 cysts in each kidney on ultrasonography or CT.
Acquired cysts are significant only because patients have a higher incidence of renal carcinoma; whether the cysts become malignant is unknown. For this reason, some physicians periodically screen patients with acquired cysts for renal carcinoma using ultrasonography or CT.
Last full review/revision November 2005
Content last modified November 2005
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