title: Cystic renal masses.
abstract: The purpose of the study is to provide an update on the imaging evaluation of cystic renal masses, to review benign and malignant etiologies of cystic renal masses, and to review current controversies and future directions in the management of these lesions.
  
  
  
  Cystic renal masses are relatively common in daily practice. The Bosniak classification is a time-proven method for the imaging classification and management of these lesions. Knowledge of the pathognomonic features of certain benign Bosniak 2F/3 lesions is important to avoid surgery on these lesions (e.g., localized cystic disease, renal abscess). For traditionally surgical Bosniak lesions (Classes 3 and 4), there are evolving data that risk stratification based on patient demographics, imaging size, and appearance may allow for expanded management options including tailored surveillance or ablation, along with the traditional surgical approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, NYU School of Medicine, 660 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA. Nicole.Hindman@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Hindman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Bosniak; Bosniak classification; Complex renal cyst; Cystic renal; Cystic renal lesion; Cystic renal mass