Possibilities of using contrast-enhanced ultrasound to assess intracavitary lesions in renal cysts

Abstract

Objective. Determination of the diagnostic signifiance of the use of a contrast agent during ultrasound, as well as to assess the possibility of using CEUS for the dynamic observation of simple and complex kidney cysts.

Materials and methods. Between 2018 and 2020 during CEUS, we examined 28 patients with various cystic formations of the kidneys. In the majority of patients with simple cysts, CEUS was performed for another underlying cancer or to confim the presence of liver metastases. The study included cysts ranging in size from 15 to 35 mm. Larger cysts were weeded out. The accumulation of contrast in the unchanged kidney tissue and in the walls of the cysts was assessed. Particular attention was paid to the partitions in the lumen of anechoic formations, as well as complex cysts, in which blood flw appeared in the altered partitions and walls in the arterial phase.

Conclusions. CEUS can be performed as an additional method when obtaining doubtful results or as a diagnosis during dynamic monitoring for the detection of kidney cysts. CEUS allows the detection of membranes in kidney cysts that are not detected by ultrasound in the standard mode.

The technique also helps to effectively differentiate absorption between a solid formation and a normal cyst. According to the accumulation of the contrast agent in the cysts, patients can be divided into categories, according to the classifiation of M. A. Bosnian and make a decision on the need for surgical treatment or placing the patient under dynamic observation.