From the Research
Milk of calcium cysts in the kidney are benign and typically require no specific treatment, unless they cause symptoms like pain or obstruction, which is rare. These cysts are usually discovered incidentally during imaging studies performed for other reasons and are characterized by their layering effect on imaging, where the calcium settles in a dependent position when the patient changes position 1. The most recent and highest quality study on this topic, published in 2015, highlights the importance of non-contrast CT scans in diagnosing milk of calcium stones, which can help avoid unsuccessful shock wave lithotripsy 1.
Key Characteristics of Milk of Calcium Cysts
- Typically asymptomatic and require no specific treatment
- Characterized by a layering effect on imaging, where the calcium settles in a dependent position when the patient changes position
- Usually discovered incidentally during imaging studies performed for other reasons
- Can be differentiated from other lesions, such as calculi or angiomyolipomas, using ultrasonography or CT scans 2, 1
Diagnosis and Management
- Non-contrast CT scans can help diagnose milk of calcium stones and differentiate them from other types of stones 1
- Ultrasonography can also be used to diagnose milk of calcium cysts, which typically appear as echogenic material layering in the dependent portion of a cyst, associated with reverberation echoes without shadowing 2
- Regular monitoring with periodic ultrasound or CT scans may be recommended in some cases, but most milk of calcium cysts remain stable over time 1, 3
Important Considerations
- Milk of calcium cysts are completely different from kidney stones and do not typically progress to form stones or other complications
- It is essential to differentiate milk of calcium cysts from other lesions, such as calculi or angiomyolipomas, to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions 4
- The calcium content in these cysts forms due to the precipitation of calcium salts within the cystic fluid, giving it its distinctive appearance 5