Renal cyst

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC

Renal cyst
Synonyms	Simple kidney cyst
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Often asymptomatic, but can include flank pain, hematuria
Complications	Infection, hemorrhage, hypertension
Onset	Typically increases with age
Duration	Can be lifelong
Types	Simple renal cyst, complex renal cyst
Causes	Mostly idiopathic, some genetic factors
Risks	Age, polycystic kidney disease
Diagnosis	Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Polycystic kidney disease, renal cell carcinoma
Prevention	None specific
Treatment	Observation, aspiration, sclerotherapy, surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good for simple cysts
Frequency	Common, especially in older adults
Deaths	N/A

Simple renal cyst

Bosniak 2F renal cyst

Histopathology of simple cyst of the kidney

Advanced polycystic kidney disease with multiple cysts

CT of peripelvic cysts with non-contrast and urography

Renal cysts are sacs of fluid that form in the kidney. They are a common condition, especially in older adults, and are typically harmless. However, in some cases, they may be associated with serious conditions such as Polycystic Kidney Disease or Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Types of Renal Cysts

There are several types of renal cysts, including:

• Simple Renal Cysts: These are the most common type of renal cyst. They are typically harmless and often do not cause symptoms.
• Complex Renal Cysts: These cysts have irregular shapes and may contain solid material. They are more likely to be cancerous than simple renal cysts.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease: This is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys.

Symptoms

Many people with renal cysts do not experience symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Pain in the back or side
• Fever
• Frequent urination
• Blood in the urine (Hematuria)

Diagnosis

Renal cysts are often discovered during imaging tests for other conditions. Tests that can detect renal cysts include:

• Ultrasound
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan

Treatment

Treatment for renal cysts depends on whether they are causing symptoms or are associated with a serious condition. Options may include:

• Observation: If the cysts are not causing symptoms and are not associated with a serious condition, they may simply be monitored.
• Sclerotherapy: In this procedure, a needle is used to drain the cyst, and then a solution is injected to cause the tissue to harden and prevent the cyst from reforming.
• Surgery: If the cysts are large, causing symptoms, or are suspected to be cancerous, surgery may be required to remove them.

See Also

• Kidney Disease
• Kidney Stones
• Kidney Cancer