ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the image features of multilocular cystic nephroma and its correlative differential diagnosis. Methods Eight cases of multilocular cystic nephroma were retrospectively analyzed by comparing the imaging findings with surgical and pathological results. Results In all 8 cases, multilocular cystic nephromas were unilateral and circumscribed by thick capsules. These lesions ranged in diameter from 2. 5 cm to 7. 5 cm. The lesions were entirely composed of locules and septa without solid nodules. These locules did not communicate with each other. The septa of these lesions were clear in 2 cases, partly clear in 4 cases, and not very clear in 2 cases. All lesions were better detected on enhanced scans than on non-enhanced ones. Four of 8 cases also underwent MR scan, which presented low signal intensity on T1WI and high signal intensity on T2WI. The Interlocular septa was demonstrated much better with MM than with CT. Histopathology proved that the capsule and septa of the lesions were lined by cuboidal or flattened epithelial cells. Conclusion Multilocular cystic nephroma is a rare disease of the kidney. CT and MRI scanning are valuable in the diagnosis of multilocular cystic nephroma, but the imaging features are not specific enough to differentiate benign multilocular cystic nephroma from multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma.