[Renal cysts at Yaounde (Cameroon). Prevalence and echographic profile]

Few studies have addressed the prevalence of renal cyst in African countries south of the Sahara, although this condition is highly prevalent in other parts of the world. To determine the prevalence and the clinical and sonographic features of renal cysts in a population of black africans, we reviewed 1,527 consecutive sonograms performed at the Yaoundé Teaching Hospital in Cameroon in patients aged 0 to 82 years. We found 47 patients harbouring at least one renal cyst (prevalence 3.08%). Prevalence of renal cyst increased with age, from 0% before the age of 20 to more than 10% after the age of 70. Most of the renal cysts found were solitary and caused no symptoms. Both sexes and both kidneys were equally affected. Diameter of the cyst exceeded one centimeter in most instances. Drainage under ultrasonographic control was performed in one case. Overall, in our institution in Yaoundé prevalence of solitary renal cyst was lower than in Western studies but clinical and sonographic patterns were consistent with previous data.