Incidence and growth pattern of simple cysts of the kidney in patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria

Abstract

Background : We examined the incidence and natural history of simple renal cysts found by ultrasonography (US) in patients referred for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Methods : Among the 906 patients aged 18-78 years, 743 patients who had undergone US were included in the present study. The natural history of simple renal cysts was investigated in 55 patients who underwent periodical US examinations for more than 3 years.Results : The incidence of simple renal cysts was 4.3% for ages 29 years or younger, 15.3% for ages 30-39, 21.8% for ages 40-49, 23.3% for ages 50-59 and 32.6% for ages 60 years or older; thus the incidence increased in older age groups ( P = 0.0005 for men, P = 0.0020 for women). Men tended to have a higher incidence than women. The degree of hematuria did not influence the incidence of renal cysts ( P = 0.9044). The annual growth rate of the mean maximum diameter was 4.2% during a 3-year follow-up period in 55 patients and 5.1% during a 6-year follow-up in 31 patients. Conclusion : Since the diameter of a renal cyst may increase by 5% annually, the diameter of the cyst may increase by 1.6 times in 10 years. The scheduling of follow-up examinations depends on the size at the time of disclosure, the effects on calyceal systems, or the suspicion of a concurrent malignant disease. However, the most simple renal cysts may be followed-up at an interval of more than 10 years, once a diagnosis has been established.

Comparison of CT-Guided Sclerotherapy with Using 95% Ethanol and 20% Hypertonic Saline for Managing Simple Renal Cyst

“…The characteristic appearance of simple renal cysts on US, CT and magnetic resonance imaging allows the radiologist to make an accurate diagnosis. US is commonly used to exclude the possibility of benign or malignant pathology because the kidney is readily accessible for US examination (4). …”

CUA guideline on the management of cystic renal lesions

“…1 It is estimated that up to one-third of individuals over 60 years of age will be diagnosed with at least one simple renal cyst following abdominal imaging. 2 Therefore, patients are often referred to urologists for opinions about diagnosis and management of these lesions. Physicians managing these masses need to distinguish cystic lesions from solid renal masses with necrotic components, which behave more aggressively.…”

Renal cysts and hypokalemia in primary aldosteronism: results of long-term follow-up after treatment

“…Past evaluations of the natural history of simple renal cysts in the general population indicate a slow progression in the number and/or size of cysts [30][31][32] as a likely effect of ageing [20,21]. To date, no prospective study of the evolution of renal cystic disease in patients with primary aldosteronism and hypokalemia has been published, although partial reversibility of renal cysts has been reported in a few isolated cases [7].…”