Cystic Diseases Flashcards
What is a cyst?
A walled-off collection of fluid.
What is the main difference between true and acquired cysts?
True cysts have an epithelial wall and acquired cysts do not.
When are true cysts formed?
Congenital
- Hereditary
- Developmental
How are acquired cysts formed? (4)
- Post traumatic (even just aging)
- Infectious process
- Parasitic
- Inflammatory (abscesses)
What features indicate that a cyst is “true”? (2)
- Multiple cysts in one organ
2. Multiple organs with cysts
What features indicate that a cyst is “acquired”?
History/signs/symptoms that indicate trauma, pain, infection or inflammatory processes.
What are the 4 sonographic criteria for a simple cyst?
- Anechoic
- Strong back wall
- Posterior acoustic enhancement
- Oval or round (refractive edge shadow)
What are the sonographic features of a complex cysts? (4)
- Internal echoes
- Septations
- Calcifications
- Thick wall or mural nodularity
What do internal echoes in a cyst indicate?
Hemorrhage or infection
What do septations in a cyst indicate? (4)
Malignancy, hemorrhage, infection or adjacent cysts
What do calcifications in a cyst indicate? (3)
Malignancy, Inflammatory reactions or milk of calcium
What do thick walls or mural nodularity in a cyst indicate?
Malignancy or benign thickening
What increases the occurrence of cysts (especially in the liver and kidneys)?
Age
What can multiple cysts indicate?
A genetic abnormality
What do the effects of cysts depend on?
The number, size and location
What are the possible effects of cysts?
- Asymptomatic
- Pain
- Pressure
- Increased lab values
- Jaundice
- Fever
What lab values would be increased by cysts?
Increased WBC’s (if the cyst is infected).
What lab values may be decreased in the presence of large liver cysts?
Decreased LFT’s
What type of cysts are found in the cortex of the kidneys?
Renal Cortical Cysts
Are Simple Renal Cortical Cysts concerning?
No, they may increase with age but they are typically benign and asymptomatic so they do not require follow-up.
Look at images of simple Renal Cortical Cysts in slides.
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What defines septations as irregular?
Greater than 1 mm in thickness or solid elements.
Does a complex cyst with septations require further imaging?
Yes, if the septations are irregular then the lesion must be presumed malignant until proven otherwise.
Look at the images of the complex Renal Cortical Cysts in the slides.
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