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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
In Vivo, Percutaneous, Needle Based, Optical Coherence Tomography of Renal Masses
Published on: March 30, 2015
The incidental renal mass
Gary M Israel1, Stuart G Silverman
1Department of Radiology, Smilow Cancer Hospital, Yale University School of Medicine, 2nd Floor North Pavillion, Room 2-245, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. gary.israel@yale.edu
Abstract:
Incidental renal masses are extremely common. Although most represent benign renal cysts, not all incidental renal masses are benign. Most renal cell carcinomas are discovered incidentally when an imaging examination is performed to evaluate a nonrenal complaint. Therefore, differentiating incidental benign renal masses from those that are potentially malignant is important. There are well-established, time-tested, image-based criteria that can be used to diagnose most renal masses definitively. However, some renal masses remain indeterminate even after a thorough evaluation with imaging. This article discusses the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment options of the incidental renal mass.
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