What Are Incidental Kidney Lesions?
Published: Jul 02, 2024
Incidental kidney lesions are findings that often surprise us during unrelated medical imaging, but what do they mean for your health? Dive into what these lesions are and how they might impact you.
Contents
What Are Incidental Kidney Lesions?
Incidental kidney lesions are abnormalities found during scans for other health checks. Most are harmless cysts, but some can be tumors or vascular issues that need further attention. Understanding these lesions can help decide the next steps in managing them.
Types of Lesions
Simple cysts are the most common and usually benign. More complex lesions can include benign tumors like angiomyolipomas or malignant ones like renal cell carcinoma. Vascular lesions, such as aneurysms, are also possible and may require treatment.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosis often involves imaging techniques like CT or MRI. Once identified, management depends on the lesion type, ranging from observation to surgical intervention. Understanding the lesion's nature is key to determining the appropriate course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple cysts are the most common.
No, many are benign and harmless.
They are diagnosed using imaging like CT or MRI.
No, only those posing health risks need treatment.
Key Takeaways
Understanding incidental kidney lesions is vital to determining the appropriate health management path.
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References
O'Connor SD, Pickhardt PJ, Kim DH, et al. Incidental finding of renal masses at unenhanced CT: prevalence and analysis of features for guiding management. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2011; 197:139.
Bosniak MA. The current radiological approach to renal cysts. Radiology 1986; 158:1.
Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.