Table of Contents
Definition / general | Clinical features | Treatment | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) descriptionCite this page: Ziadie MS. Simple cysts. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/kidneytumorsimplecyst.html. Accessed February 6th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Occasional finding that increases with age (0.1% in children, 20% at age 50+ years) and may present as a mass lesion
Clinical features
- 65% of renal masses, may be confused with cystic renal cell carcinoma but avascular with smooth contours
- May calcify
- Hemorrhage may cause acute pain
Treatment
- Percutaneous aspiration
- Continuous negative pressure catheter drainage (AJR Am J Roentgenol 2008;190:1193)
- Sclerotherapy
Gross description
- Thin walled cortical cysts, measuring up to 10 cm, which are filled with clear yellow fluid
Gross images
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Single layer of cuboidal, flattened or atrophic epithelium
- May have thickened walls with hemosiderin laden macrophages and atrophic epithelium