What Does "nodule Of Mixed Echogenicity In The Cortex Of The Right Kidney" Mean?

Posted on Wed, 22 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 Answered on

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had an upper abdomen ultrasound for some doubt on gall bladder stone and they found a 5mm cyst in my right kidney. The report says that there is a 5mm nodule of mixed echogenicity in the cortex of the right kidney. The lesion because of its small size is difficult to characterise but possibly a calcified cyst. CT or progressive ultrasound suggested. What does this mean ? The doctor is not very clear on this.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are rightly advised for follow up USG scan.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

You are rightly advised for follow up USG. Further investigations like contrast CT scan of abdomen can also be done.
According to report,there is possibility of small calcified cortical cyst in right kidney.Simple cysts may calcify with time.Simple cysts are benign lesion of unknown etiology arising from renal parenchyma and it rarely causes complications.
Renal cortical cyst is a very common type of kidney cyst but is important to rule out other causes since there is calcification in it.

Small cysts generally doesn't causes symptoms and it is found in a routine examination for other issues.
Renal cortical cysts usually doesn't require any treatment.

Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar