Computerized axial tomography (CAT) and echography (US) of multilocular cystic nephroma

OBJECTIVES: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography and ultrasound in the diagnosis of multilocular cystic nephroma. METHODS: Four cases with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of cystic nephroma were reviewed. RESULTS: These four cases had a predominantly cystic mass with thin walls located in the lower pole of the kidney. Both techniques had a sensitivity of 100% for renal masses but a low specificity since they failed to distinguish multilocular cystic nephroma from other cystic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: A presumptive diagnosis of multilocular cystic nephroma can be made on the findings of these noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques. The definitive diagnosis, however, is by anatomopathology.