PYELOCALYCEAL DIVERTICULA CONTAINING MILK OF CALCIUM - CT DIAGNOSIS

Objective: To present the computed tomography (CT) findings of pyeloca lyceal diverticula containing milk of calcium in seven patients. Mater ial and Methods: Three patients were examined because of flank pain, o ne because a malignant lesion was suspected and the three others were examined for unrelated symptoms, Three repeated scans to the kidney ar ea were performed in every patient: an unenhanced scan, post-contrast scan and a delayed scan. Results: Unenhanced scans demonstrated an int raparenchymal round lesion with calcific material localized either at the inferior border or filling almost the entire cavity, On postcontra st scans a contrast-fluid level appeared, with some enhancement of the clear fluid in the upper part of the cyst. A further rise in the cont rast-fluid level or total opacification with a density identical to th at of the collecting system was obtained on delayed scans. Conclusion: Pyelocalyceal diverticula containing milk of calcium present on CT as a partially calcified renal mass. Slight opacification soon after inj ection may be mistaken for enhancement arousing suspicion of a tumour. However, a delayed scan will demonstrate a densely opacified cyst fil led with contrast from the collecting system which is virtually pathog nomonic of the lesion.