ULTRASOUND in DIAGNOSIS of MULTILOCULAR CYSTIC RCC (from
Multilocular Cystic Nephroma
Imaging, Henrique M Lederman, eMedicine)
Results of ultrasonography depend
on the amount of stroma and the size of the loculi (see the images below).
The
appearance of multilocular cystic renal tumor includes multiple anechoic spaces
separated by hyperechoic septa. This pattern is similar to that of multilocular
cystic nephroma; however, if the loculi are small, the tumor mimics an
echogenic solid mass.
In most patients, the renal
origin of the mass can be confirmed by identifying a beak or claw of normal
renal parenchyma around the periphery of a well-defined mass, by the splaying
or displacement of the renal collecting system, and by synchronous motion of
the mass and kidney with respiratory excursion.
Color Doppler US can also be used
to evaluate tumors and can provide a noninvasive assessment of lesion
vascularity. This is possible because of the Doppler-shifted signals of
abnormally high velocity emitted by low-resistance neovascularity in some
neoplasms.
Degree of confidence
US can be used with a high degree
of confidence. A diagnosis can be made with high precision because sonograms
clearly depict the structure of the lesions. False-positive and false-negative
rates are low because of the accuracy of the method.
Ultrasonography (US) is the
first radiologic examination performed for the evaluation of any abdominal
mass. US can provide the imaging results necessary for diagnosing multilocular
cystic nephroma. The diagnosis may be confirmed by using either CT or MRI.
Together, US and CT may be the studies of choice because they enable the
evaluation of cystic lesions, stromal tissue, and the perfusion of this stroma.
No flow is seen within the cystic lesions.
Limitations of techniques
The precision and accuracy of US
depends on, and therefore is limited by, the operator's skill. CT may not be
chosen if the patient has a severe allergy to the contrast medium. Compared
with US and fast CT, MRI is limited by the need for sedation in some patients.
Abstract
Objective: To explore the value of ultrasound in diagnosis of cystic
renal cell carcinomas.
Methods: Ultrasonic features in 27 cases
including 29 focus with surgically and pathologically proved cystic renal cell
carcinoma were analyzed.
Results: According to the number of their
capsular spaces, cystic renal carcinomas were classified into two
patterns:single-cystic renal cell carcinoma and multi-cystic renal cell
carcinoma. In our cases, compared with single-cystic renal cell carcinoma, the
long diameter of multi-cystic renal cell carcinoma were enlarged (P=0.03, <0.05).
Among ultrasonic findings of cystic renal cell carcinomas, 14 cases with 15
focus had irregular thickening cystic wall and/or septum, among which 1 case
with diffuse calcification on thickening cystic wall and septum. The cystic
wall were regular in 2 cases which were misdiagnosed as cyst of kidney, and the
septum was regular in 1 case which was misdiagnosed as multilocular cyst of kidney.
10 cases with 11 focus had nodules on the cystic wall and/or septum and only
one case had cystic change in nodule on the cystic wall. There were 14 cases
with limous capsular space which showed meticulous and punctiform weak echo or
inhomogeneous and hyperechoic sludged blood. The signal of arterial blood flow
could be found in thickening cystic wall and septum and solid nodules by color
Doppler ultrasonography. Maximum velocity (Vmax) and resistence index (RI) were
without significant in feeding artery of single-cystic renal cell carcinoma and
multi-cystic renal cell carcinoma (P=0.39, 0.36, >0.05). Pulse Doppler
showed there were no significantly different in Vmax and RI between feeding
artery of focus and normal interlobar artery of kidney (P=0.25, 0.27, >
0.05).
Conclusions: Ultrasonography plays an important role in the
diagnosis, differential diagnosis and early therapy of cystic renal cell
carcinoma.