title: The diagnostic value of ultrasound in cystic kidney diseases.
abstract: Renal cysts in childhood can be found in a variety of diseases, which can be congenital or acquired, or renal cysts may be part of a multiorgan disease or restricted to the kidneys only. Ultrasonography is the first-line diagnostic tool and is informative in many cases. However, there is a broad spectrum in the sonographic appearance of renal cysts, and family or genetic studies, a search for extrarenal organ involvement, or additional imaging modalities may be required to make a definitive diagnosis. The aim of this article is to summarize the diagnostic potential and limitations of ultrasonography and depict typical examples of the most important cystic entities.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr 55, 45122, Essen, Germany. udo.vester@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vester
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kranz
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hoyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*