| A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue that can | | | | may notice that the patient has a kidney cyst when he |
| form anywhere in the body. Cysts can be filled with air | | | | or she does one of these tests for another problem. |
| or fluid. Cysts that form on the kidneys usually contain | | | | Benign cysts that are found when a doctor is looking |
| fluid. One or more cysts may develop on small tubes in | | | | for something else are called "incidental cysts." |
| the kidneys. The simple kidney cyst is different from | | | | Chronic pain, usually located in your back or your side, |
| the cysts that develop when a person has polycystic | | | | is a common symptom of polycystic kidney disease. |
| kidney disease, which is a genetic disease. Although its | | | | Often, the pain is mild and you can control it with |
| cause is not fully understood, the simple cyst is not an | | | | over-the-counter medications containing |
| inherited condition. Simple kidney cysts become more | | | | acetaminophen. For some people, however, the pain is |
| common as people age. Nearly 30 percent of people | | | | more severe and constant. In rare cases, your doctor |
| over the age of 70 have at least one simple kidney | | | | may recommend surgery to remove cysts if they're |
| cyst. | | | | large enough to cause pressure and pain. |
| Simple kidney cysts are abnormal pouches containing | | | | Cysts are noncancerous (benign), round sacs that |
| fluid. The simple cyst is the most common form of | | | | contain water-like fluid. They vary in size from tiny |
| kidney cyst. Although its cause is not fully understood, | | | | sacs to sacs large enough to hold several quarts of |
| we do know that the simple cyst is not an inherited | | | | fluid. Having one or more benign kidney cysts is |
| condition. Cysts may be single or multiple and develop | | | | common, especially in people older than 50. A benign, |
| on small tubes in the kidneys. | | | | simple kidney cyst doesn't require treatment. And |
| Kidney disease is a genetic disorder characterized by | | | | having one or more kidney cysts doesn't mean you |
| the growth of numerous cysts in the kidneys. The | | | | have polycystic kidney disease. |
| kidneys are two organs, each about the size of a fist, | | | | Keep in mind that multiple cysts can be confused with |
| located in the upper part of a person's abdomen, | | | | generalized or even localized hydronephrosis. Look for |
| toward the back. The kidneys filter wastes and extra | | | | a lack of central communication between the cysts as |
| fluid from the blood to form urine. They also regulate | | | | a distinguishing feature. With hydronephrosis, the dilated |
| amounts of certain vital substances in the body. When | | | | calyces are seen to coalesce centrally like the fingers |
| cysts form in the kidneys, they are filled with fluid. PKD | | | | of a glove as they connect to the renal pelvis and |
| cysts can profoundly enlarge the kidneys while | | | | proximal ureter. If the differentiation isn't clear on US, an |
| replacing much of the normal structure, resulting in | | | | IVP or CT exam can help with the diagnosis. If the |
| reduced kidney function and leading to kidney failure. | | | | radiologist is confident that the central renal cystic |
| Almost all kidney cysts are found on tests that create | | | | mass or masses represent parapelvic cysts and the |
| a picture of your insides. These tests include | | | | finding is completely incidental, then no further imaging |
| ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) or | | | | followup or investigation is necessary. MM (Reference: |
| magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A doctor | | | | Radiology: Diagnosis, Imaging. |