Prevalence of malignant or possibly malignant renal masses among homogeneous low-attenuation masses that are too small to characterize at computed tomography.

Abstract

Homogeneous low-attenuation renal masses that are too small to characterize (tstc) are considered clinically insignificant; however, based primarily on expert opinion. To determine the prevalence of malignant or possibly malignant masses among homogeneous low-attenuation renal masses that are tstc. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 75 patients with 104 tstc who underwent renal CT and MRI between Jan 2016 and Jul 2022. Low-attenuation renal masses measuring < 1cm in size were identified and, independently evaluated by two blinded radiologists measuring attenuation (Hounsfield Units, HU) at non-contrast enhanced CT (NECT) and nephrographic phase contrast-enhanced (CE)-CT when possible. Reference standard for benign cyst was MRI and for other renal masses was pathology or MRI showing enhancement. Average tstc size was 6 ± 2 (range 2-10) mm. Considering only incidental tstc (CT performed for another reason), 100% (98/98, 95%CI 96-100%) tstc were benign. Overall, considering both incidental and tstc referred for further characterization, there were 94% (98/104; 95% Confidence Intervals [CIs] 88-98%) benign cysts and 6% (6/104; 95%CI 2-12%) other masses (1 Bosniak 2F cystic mass, 2 probable renal cell carcinoma (RCC), three metastases). Pseudoenhancement, attenuation change > 10 HU or > 20 HU, was present in 29% (15/59) and 12% (7/59) benign cysts. All six other masses enhanced by > 20 HU. CECT threshold of ≤ 30 HU correctly classified 62% of benign cysts (61/98). All six other masses measured > 30 HU at CECT. The prevalence of malignant or possibly malignant renal masses among homogeneous low-attenuation too small to characterize masses among incidental tstc masses is near zero. Attenuation measurements misclassify a substantial proportion of these cysts, likely due to their small size.