The prevalence of small renal masses (SRM) has risen, paralleling the increased usage of cross-sectional imaging.
A large proportion of these SRMs are not malignant, and do not require invasive treatment such as nephrectomy. Therefore, differentiation between early renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and benign SRM is critical to achieve proper management. This article reviews the radiological features of benign SRMs, with focus on two of the most common benign entities, angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma, in terms of their common imaging findings and differential features from RCC. Furthermore, the role of percutaneous biopsy is discussed as imaging is yet imperfect, therefore necessitating biopsy in certain circumstances to confirm the benignity of SRMs.
Written by:
Woo S, Cho JY. Are you the author?
Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 110-744, Korea; Institute of Radiation Medicine and Kidney Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Reference: Korean J Radiol. 2015 Jan-Feb;16(1):99-113.
doi: 10.3348/kjr.2015.16.1.99
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25598678