Intentional Engagement
1. Findings
Simple Renal Cyst on T2 Weighted MRI
Axial T2 weighted MRI through the left kidneys shows large T2 bright cyst on the left kidney. Note the T2 bright CSF, gallbladder, hepatic cyst, pancreatic duct and fluid in the duodenum.
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 40808
Axial T2 weighted MRI through the left kidneys shows large T2 bright cyst on the left kidney. Note the T2 bright CSF, gallbladder, hepatic cyst, pancreatic duct and fluid in the duodenum.
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 40808
📊 Causes of Simple Kidney Cysts – TCV Disease Categories (Final Format)
| Cause | Frequency | TCV Disease Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporadic (Age-related) | ✅ Most common | Idiopathic | Very common in older adults; benign, simple, non-progressive |
🔽 Less Common Causes by TCV Disease Category Order
| Cause | TCV Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sarcoidosis (granulomatous cysts) | Inflammatory / Immune | Rare cystic manifestation of systemic granulomatous disease |
| Renal tuberculosis (rare cystic form) | Infectious | Granulomatous or cavitary; cyst-like changes are rare |
| Cystic renal cell carcinoma | Neoplastic | Complex cystic masses (Bosniak III–IV); not simple cysts |
| Post-obstructive cortical cysts | Mechanical | Chronic obstruction may lead to cortical cyst formation |
| Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease (ACKD) | Metabolic | Occurs in ESRD/dialysis; small cortical cysts, RCC risk |
| Post-trauma cystic degeneration | Traumatic | Rare evolution of contusion or laceration to cystic lesion |
| Renal infarct with cystic evolution | Circulatory | Rare sequela of infarction causing parenchymal cystic change |
| Amyloidosis with cystic degeneration | Infiltrative | Uncommon; usually associated with nephrotic syndrome |
| ADPKD | Inherited | Bilateral cysts, enlarging over time; PKD1/2 mutations |
| Simple congenital cyst | Idiopathic | Solitary, non-progressive, often incidental in children |
| Post-radiation cysts (e.g., ACKD) | Iatrogenic | Can occur years after radiation therapy or nephrotoxic drugs |
| Lithium-induced microcysts | Psychiatric | Seen in chronic lithium therapy for bipolar disorder; tiny cysts with preserved renal shape and function |