🫘 Renal Cystic Lesion Bosniak Classification (CT/MRI)
UseTranslate a Bosniak category into a no-follow-up, imaging-follow-up or surgical pathway.
SourceSilverman SG, et al. Bosniak Classification of Cystic Renal Masses, Version 2019. Radiology 2019
This-shift next steps
After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.
Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.
Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
The 2019 version unified the enhancement definition (CT ≥ 20 HU or MR ≥ 15%).
When to use
Translate a Bosniak category into a no-follow-up, imaging-follow-up or surgical pathway.
How it works
I/II benign no follow-up; IIF probably benign imaging follow-up; III indeterminate surgery or active surveillance; IV malignant surgery. Enhancement = CT ≥ 20 HU or MR ≥ 15%.
Key points
- The 2019 version unified the enhancement definition (CT ≥ 20 HU or MR ≥ 15%).
- Morphologic upgrade on follow-up strongly predicts malignancy and warrants reclassification.
- Biopsy of cystic lesions is generally not recommended (except category IV).
- Category III management balances surgery vs active surveillance by age and comorbidity.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Bosniak category (2019 version) | IIF — Probably benign (follow-up) |
|---|
→ManagementImaging follow-up
- Category:Bosniak IIF: Probably benign
- Management:Smooth minimally thick (3 mm) enhancing wall/septa, or many (≥ 4) thin enhancing septa, etc.: imaging follow-up (e.g. 6, 12 months, then yearly to 5 years); reclassify if morphology upgrades
- Enhancement criteria:2019 unified enhancement definition: CT attenuation increase ≥ 20 HU vs unenhanced, or MR signal increase ≥ 15%; thin = ≤ 2 mm, minimally thick = 3 mm, many = ≥ 4 septa
| Bosniak category (2019 version) | I — Simple cyst |
|---|
→ManagementNo follow-up
- Category:Bosniak I: Benign
- Management:Simple cyst (thin ≤ 2 mm smooth wall, homogeneous simple fluid, no septa/calcification; wall may enhance): no follow-up
- Enhancement criteria:2019 unified enhancement definition: CT attenuation increase ≥ 20 HU vs unenhanced, or MR signal increase ≥ 15%; thin = ≤ 2 mm, minimally thick = 3 mm, many = ≥ 4 septa
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- What are the limits and cautions when using Renal Cystic Lesion Bosniak Classification (CT/MRI)?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- Does Renal Cystic Lesion Bosniak Classification (CT/MRI) upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
- Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
- How is Renal Cystic Lesion Bosniak Classification (CT/MRI) calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Bosniak category (2019 version) IIF — Probably benign (follow-up) → Result: Management Imaging follow-up(Category: Bosniak IIF: Probably benign, Management: Smooth minimally thick (3 mm) enhancing wall/septa, or many (≥ 4) thin enhancing septa, etc.: imaging follow-up (e.g. 6, 12 months, then yearly to 5 years); reclassify if morphology upgrades, Enhancement criteria: 2019 unified enhancement definition: CT attenuation increase ≥ 20 HU vs unenhanced, or MR signal increase ≥ 15%; thin = ≤ 2 mm, minimally thick = 3 mm, many = ≥ 4 septa) Inputs: Bosniak category (2019 version) I — Simple cyst → Result: Management No follow-up(Category: Bosniak I: Benign, Management: Simple cyst (thin ≤ 2 mm smooth wall, homogeneous simple fluid, no septa/calcification; wall may enhance): no follow-up, Enhancement criteria: 2019 unified enhancement definition: CT attenuation increase ≥ 20 HU vs unenhanced, or MR signal increase ≥ 15%; thin = ≤ 2 mm, minimally thick = 3 mm, many = ≥ 4 septa)