Simple renal cysts in children with AIDS.

Simple renal cysts are very uncommon among children. Of 50 children with AIDS that underwent computed tomography at our hospital, 4 had radiographically simple cysts. The incidence of simple renal cysts in this group of children is thus approximately 45 times that seen in normal children. To our knowledge, simple renal cysts have never been reported as a manifestation of AIDS in children. It is unknown whether or not these cysts are a manifestation of HIV nephropathy (HIVN), in which microcysts are seen pathologically. We suggest that simple renal cysts may be a finding compatible with the diagnosis of HIVN.