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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
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Kidney Diseases |
Ultrasound of the Kidneys11/18/2005 03:42AM |
The recent ultrasound of my kidneys showed "an intense shadowing echo measuring 0.54cm in the lower pole of the left kidney and an anechoic nodule in the lower pole of the right kidney measuring 1.10 x 1.02 cm." The report gave the impression: "Non-obstructing nephrolithiasis, left", and "Renal cortical cyst, right." What do these all mean in layman`s terms? Should the findings be a cause of urgent concern? I am male, 54 yrs, with diabetes and underwent quadruple coronary bypass 9 years ago.
There is no "urgent concern", but the results need to be interpreted within the context of other information, and this context is best provided by further information from you (as the patient) and your doctor. Specifically:
1) Cysts are a not uncommon incidental finding when the kidneys are imaged. They occur more frequently with increasing age (in your age group they would be found in 11.5% of the population). They are most often non-malignant, do not cause symptoms, do not compromise renal function, do not need removal and are not a cause for concern. These are referred to as simple cysts and there can be more than one. However, some cysts need further evaluation depending on their radiographic image.
The assessment most often used by radiologists to characterize cysts is the Bosniak classification system. In this classification system a Category I cyst (also called a simple cyst) would NOT need further evaluation but Category II, Category III or Category IV cysts may need further evaluation or surgical removal to determine if it is malignant (cancerous). If you have had prior renal imaging then any new finding should be compared to prior studies.
Finally, the above description applies to acquired cysts. There are conditions of hereditary cysts that may be of concern. For example Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease can result in symptoms related to the presence of the cysts and kidney failure. There are often hundreds of cysts and it is not often confused with simple cysts.
2) Nephrolithiasis means "kidney stone". Nonobstructing means that it is not blocking the ureter. If the stone should drop into the ureter then it would block urine flow and cause considerable pain. It is a medical emergency because it is very painful and cause infection or kidney damage. It needs to be further evaluated as to its cause. If they reoccur then they may need medical treatment. Your doctor can discuss the best approach depending on your medical history.
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Thomas Zipp, MD Assistant Professor Nephrology Division MetroHealth Medical Center School of Medicine Case Western Reserve University |
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