Kidney cytopathology

Kidney cytopathology, also renal cytopathology, is uncommonly done.

Kidney cytology and renal cytology redirect here.

Angiomyolipoma

Main article: Angiomyolipoma

General

• May be associated with tuberous sclerosis.

Cytology

Features:

• Blood vessels.
• Fat - usu. scant.
• Muscle - ovoid, bent cigar-shaped nuclei.

Renal oncocytoma

Main article: Renal oncocytoma

Cytology

Features:

• Moderate granular cytoplasm.
• Distinct cell borders.
• Round nuclei.

Oncocytoma vs chromophobe RCC:

• ChRCC:
  • Thicker cell borders.
  • Perinuclear clearing/quasi koilocytic appearance.

Image:

• Renal oncocytoma - resection (WC).

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Main article: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Cytology

Features - classically:

• Prominent nucleoli.
• Abundant vacuolated, delicate cytoplasm.
• Small blood vessels (chicken-wire vasculature).

Note:

• Cytoplasm not clear.

DDx:

• Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis - histiocytes, typically single cells - may be in small groups.

Images:

• RCC - prominent nucleoli (ouhsc.edu).
• RCC - small blood vessel (ouhsc.edu).

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Main article: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma

Cytology

Features:

• Thick appearing cell membrane - vegetable matter-like appearance.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma

Main article: Papillary renal cell carcinoma

Cytology

Features:

• Papillary structures - typically have a smooth contour.
  • Contain foamy macrophages.
• Tumour cells have small nucleoli +/- nuclear grooves.
• +/-Psammoma bodies.

See also

• Cytopathology.