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Usefulness of percutaneous biopsy in diagnosing benign renal masses that mimic malignancy

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Abstract

Percutaneous biopsy has long been used to diagnose malignancies of the kidney. It is an established technique with multiple indications. Percutaneous biopsy now can be used to diagnose benign conditions that may mimic a malignancy and lead to unnecessary treatments. Advances in cytological techniques such as immunocytochemistry and cytogenetics have allowed for an increased diagnostic yield. In this review, various benign entities that may present as a renal mass are discussed and the vital role of percutaneous biopsy detailed.

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Acknowledgement

The authors thank Dr. Edmund S. Cibas for help editing the manuscript.

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  1. Division of Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    V. Anik Sahni & Stuart G. Silverman

  2. Division of Cytopathology, Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Amy Ly

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Correspondence to V. Anik Sahni.

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Sahni, V.A., Ly, A. & Silverman, S.G. Usefulness of percutaneous biopsy in diagnosing benign renal masses that mimic malignancy. Abdom Imaging 36, 91–101 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-009-9597-5

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