Lesion Of The Kidney, Incompletely Characterized
A “lesion of the kidney, incompletely characterized” refers to an abnormal finding on imaging where a mass, cyst, or structural change cannot be clearly identified as benign or malignant based on the available information. These findings often occur when a lesion is too small, partially visualized, or lacks enough imaging detail to make a confident diagnosis. Many such lesions are ultimately benign, but follow-up imaging is usually recommended to clarify their nature.
What is it?
An incompletely characterized kidney lesion is an abnormality that cannot be confidently classified due to limited or ambiguous imaging information. Possible causes include simple cysts, complex cysts, benign tumors such as angiomyolipomas, inflammatory changes, or early renal cell carcinoma. Lesions may appear partially solid, subtly enhancing, or too small to accurately characterize on initial scans.
Additional imaging—especially contrast-enhanced CT or MRI—helps assess features such as enhancement patterns, internal complexity, and borders. Radiologists may recommend short-term follow-up if the lesion is tiny or if technical factors limited the evaluation.
Important to Know
Most incompletely characterized lesions turn out to be benign, especially when small. However, certain imaging features may raise concern and require timely additional testing. The goal is not to alarm patients but to ensure that potentially serious conditions, such as kidney cancer, are not missed.
Red flag symptoms include persistent flank pain, blood in the urine, unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats. These symptoms may indicate inflammation, infection, or a more serious lesion requiring prompt evaluation. Follow-up imaging helps ensure stability or detect important changes early.