ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the CT and MR features of cystic nephroma. Methods CT and MRI findings of 8 patients with cystic nephroma comfirmed surgically and pathologically were analyzed retrospectively. Results In all 8 patients, cystic nephromas were unilateral and solitary, and diameter of lesions was 2.92-7.81 cm. The CT and MR scans showed multilocular cystic lesion with clear border. These locules did not communicate with each other. The septa were intact and smooth, and showed slight to moderate and gradual enhancement. The interlocular septa were demonstrated clearly on coronal T2WI, and showed hypointensity signals. The intracapsular liquids were heterogenous in 4 patients on MR images. The CT scanning showed a patchy calcification in 1 case. Histopathology proved that the capsule and septa of the lesions were lined by cuboidal or flattened epitheial cells, of which hemosiderin depositions were presented in 4 patients. Conclusion CT and MR are valuable in the diagnosis of cystic nephroma, and MRI can reflect the pathology of cystic nephroma more clearly, and supply the accurate reference information for diagnosis.