Localized cystic disease of the kidney: study of 14 cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Localized cystic disease of the kidney (LCDK) is rare without hereditary background and does not progress. It can mimic neoplastic process, leading to unnecessary surgical intervention. We present 14 patients [male-to-female 9:5; mean age 50.3 years (range: 3-79)] with LCDK in a multinational cohort. Flank pain (n=5) and incidental lesions (n=4) were common. All cases were unilateral (9 right, 5 left), and contralateral kidneys were mostly normal (n=11). No family history was present, and none had extrarenal solid organ cysts. Radical and partial nephrectomies were performed in 9 and 5 cases, respectively. All lesions were multilocular, ranging from 1.8 – 20cm. 2 cases had diffuse renal involvement. Cystic septa contained nonneoplastic elements including renal tubules and glomeruli without primitive epithelial cellular elements, blastema, or immature stromal cells. In addition, we also comprehensively reviewed 75 previously reported cases. Conclusions. LCDK should be considered in the differential of cystic kidney lesions.