simple renal cysts typically have thin walls with no calcification, septation or enhancement shown on contrast studies. Solitary simple cysts are common and are often diagnosed incidentally
"Simple" cysts are best defined using sonographic criteria. These include:
(1) absence of internal echoes,
(2) posterior enhancement,
(3) round/oval shape and
(4) sharp, thin posterior walls.
when all of the criteria are met, the cyst is benign and no follow-up is required
in the minority of patients who are symptomatic who have a simple renal cyst, pain is the most frequent complaint
management
symptomatic simple renal cysts can be managed with analgesic medication, needle aspiration (with or without administration of a sclerosant) and open surgical cyst deroofing if aspiration is unsuccessful at relieving symptoms in the long term. In some patients, a nephrectomy may be necessary
NICE suggest laparoscopic deroofing as a management option for symptomatic simple renal cysts
laparoscopic deroofing is not used if there is any suspicion of malignancy
asymptomatic cysts do not usually require any treatment
note that the management of polycystic kidney disease is different from that of simple renal cysts
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