Differential Diagnosis for Exophytic Cyst with Septal Enhancement

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Simple renal cyst with hemorrhage or infection: This is a common condition where a simple cyst can develop hemorrhage or become infected, leading to septal enhancement due to the body's response to the hemorrhage or infection.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Complex renal cyst: These cysts have septations and may show enhancement due to the presence of vascularized septa or walls, which can be a characteristic feature.
  • Cystic renal cell carcinoma: Although less common, some renal cell carcinomas can present as cystic masses with septal enhancement, mimicking a complex cyst.
  • Hydatid cyst: In endemic areas, hydatid cysts can present as exophytic cysts with septal enhancement due to the presence of daughter cysts.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Cystic renal cell carcinoma with metastatic potential: It is crucial not to miss this diagnosis as it has significant implications for treatment and prognosis.
  • Infected renal cyst or abscess: Failing to diagnose an infected cyst or abscess can lead to severe consequences, including sepsis.
  • Angiomyolipoma with cystic degeneration: Although rare, an angiomyolipoma can present as an exophytic cystic mass and has the potential for bleeding.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Multilocular cystic nephroma: A rare benign tumor that can present as a multilocular cystic mass with septal enhancement.
  • Localized cystic disease of the kidney: A rare condition characterized by multiple cysts limited to one kidney, which can mimic other cystic diseases.
  • Cystic pheochromocytoma: An extremely rare presentation of pheochromocytoma, which can have cystic components and septal enhancement.