Renal Lesions in Tuberous Sclerosis

The renal lesion classically associated with tuberous sclerosis is angiomyolipoma. Renal cysts are less frequent, occurring alone or in conjunction with angiomyolipomas. We reviewed the records of 274 patients with tuberous sclerosis registered at our clinic. Of 95 patients evaluated for renal lesions 51 (54 per cent) had positive findings: 45 had angiomyolipomas, 17 had renal cysts and 11 had both lesions. These lesions usually are multiple and bilateral, and are diagnosed most effectively with computerized tomography or ultrasound. Surgery (10 kidneys) was done for life-threatening hemorrhage or suspected malignant lesions.