Renal cysts are sacs of fluid that form in the kidneys. Most of the time, they are simple kidney cysts, meaning they have a thin wall and only water-like fluid inside. They are fairly common in older people and typically do not cause any symptoms or harm.

In rare cases, renal cysts may require treatment due to infection, bleeding, or enlargement. When such renal cyst complications occur, symptoms may include:

• Fever
• Pain or tenderness between the ribs and pelvis
• Upper abdominal pain
• Changes in urinary habits
• Blood in the urine (Hematuria)

The cause of renal cysts is not known, although age is a major risk factor. An estimated one-third of people older than age 70 have at least one simple renal cyst. It can be normal to have more than one simple cyst in each kidney, especially with increasing age.

Having a few simple renal cysts is different from having many cysts in the kidneys because of polycystic renal disease (PKD). PKD is a genetic disorder characterized by clusters of cysts that can impair kidney function.

Renal cysts generally do not require treatment unless they are causing symptoms or harming kidney function. Treatment options include:

Sclerotherapy: Also known as percutaneous alcohol ablation, sclerotherapy involves the insertion of a long needle through the skin and into the cyst under ultrasound guidance. The doctor will drain the cyst and fill it with an alcohol-based solution that causes the tissue to harden and shrink, reducing the chance of recurrence. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic.
Surgery: For larger cysts, a surgeon will make a small incision and access the cyst with a laparoscope. The surgeon will then drain the cyst and burn or cut away its outer layer. Laparoscopic surgery requires general anesthesia.

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