![]() Although fatty AML can have a typical appearance, ultrasound is less reliable than other imaging modalities and confirmation with CT or MRI may be recommended. The patient’s age and family history need to be considered to avoid missing this diagnosis (table 1).Īngiomyolipomas (AML) are benign tumours that may be identified by ultrasound. The commonest of these is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Multiple cysts are more common with increasing age but can cause diagnostic confusion with a range of multi-cystic kidney diseases. Additional imaging will be required for more complex cysts, but this should be clear from an ultrasound report. In general, a single thin septum or small area of calcification within the cyst wall will not alter the presumption of benignity and no follow-up is required. The reporting clinician will add additional commentary if there is doubt about the nature of the cyst. Simple cysts have a characteristic appearance and are benign. 2 Ultrasound is a reliable modality for visualising most renal cysts. Renal cysts are common and are bilateral in 9% of people over the age of 70. Renal stone or other suspected calcification.Abnormality of renal outline or irregularity of cortical thickness.The commonest abnormalities of the renal tract detected on ultrasound include: Alternatively, a scan may have been done for completely unrelated reasons, such as obstetric ultrasound. Incidental abnormalities may also be detected on scans targeted at the renal tract, for example during the investigation of a new diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. ![]() Right upper quadrant pain, abnormal liver function tests or non-specific ‘loin’ pain are common reasons for requesting abdominal ultrasound. Patients may have presented with symptoms that are often unrelated to the renal tract. The kidneys may be imaged during any abdominal ultrasound scan. In primary care, abdominal ultrasound is the most common way the kidneys are imaged and this is the focus of this article. Post-mortem studies suggest that at least 50% of people have at least one renal abnormality, 1 so it is therefore not surprising that abnormalities on renal imaging are commonly reported. The finding of an incidental kidney lesion may result in anxiety and uncertainty for the patient and their clinician, raising concerns about the significance and immediate and future management.
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