LOCALIZED CYSTIC DISEASE OF THE KIDNEY: A CASE FOLLOWED-UP 7 YEARS

Purpose: Localized cystic disease (LCD) is an uncommon presentation of renal cystic disease and has been confused with the other cystic masses of the kidney. In the literature, there are a few reports of this condition. Also, this condition has been referred by authors in a various spectrum of names, such as segmental cystic disease or unilateral cystic disease. We aim to review the radiological findings of LCD and display the value of sonography in this disease.

Methods and Materials: A cystic mass was incidentally found in right kidney of an asymptomatic 31-year old male during sonographic examination.

Results: The patient had no family history of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Various sized multiple cysts which did not communicate with each other involved almost all upper half of the kidney without any solid component among them. Some cysts included intervening septa inside. No involvement was observed in the lower half of the same and in the other entire kidney. Sonographic findings and the final diagnosis of “localized cystic disease of the kidney“ were confirmed by contrast enhanced CT and renal angiography also. Although renal sonography was nonspecific in differential diagnosis of cystic neoplasm, it delineated the internal structure of the cysts better than CT. The patient has been followed up for 7 years with annual sonographic examinations in which cysts stayed radiologically stabile.

Conclusions: If the radiologists gain a familiarity with sonographic findings in localized cystic disease of kidney, they may prevent unnecessary surgery like we did in our patient.