A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac that grows in your kidneys, the bean-shaped organs that filter wastes out of your bloodstream to produce urine. You might have a single cyst on one kidney or many cysts on both kidneys. There are two types of cysts: simple cysts and polycystic kidney disease. Learn more about Kidney Cysts treatments in Omaha.
Kidney Cysts Treatments
Types of Kidney Cysts
Simple Kidney Cysts
The most common type of kidney cyst is a simple cyst. Simple cysts are individual cysts that form on the surface of a kidney. They have thin walls and contain a water-like fluid. Simple cysts don’t damage the kidneys or affect kidney function but may cause some symptoms.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited condition that causes many cysts to form in the kidneys. These cysts can damage the kidneys as they grow.
Kidney Cysts Causes
The exact cause of kidney cysts is not fully understood, but a few possible explanations exist. Some risk factors include age, sex, and some medical conditions.
Almost half of all people age 50 or older have one or more simple cysts in the kidneys. The size of these cysts may also increase with age and double over 10 years. Men are more likely to develop these cysts.
Some medical conditions, such as polycystic kidney disease, can cause kidney cysts.
Lower Your Risk Factors
Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent kidney cysts, you can lower your risk by:
- Drinking lots of water
- Controlling salt intake
- Avoiding caffeine
- Managing high blood pressure
- Eating a healthy diet
Kidney Cysts Symptoms
A simple cyst may not cause any symptoms. However, if the cyst grows large or becomes infected, it may cause symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Pain in your back or side between your ribs and pelvis (the pain is usually dull, but it can become severe if the cyst bursts)
- Pain in your upper abdomen
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Frequent Urination
- Blood in your urine
- Dark urine
PKD can cause symptoms and signs such as:
- Pain in your back and side
- High blood pressure
- Blood in your urine
Kidney Cysts Diagnosis
A kidney cyst is typically diagnosed through imaging tests. These tests include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or CT scan.
Most simple kidney cysts do not need any treatment beyond periodic monitoring. Kidney cysts that cause symptoms may require treatments, mainly if they block urine flow or blood through the kidneys.
Kidney Cysts Treatments Omaha
Observation: A medical provider will monitor the cyst and perform ultrasound as needed
Aspiration and Sclerotherapy: A long needle is inserted through the skin to puncture and drain the cyst.
Surgery: In rare cases of a large cyst, surgery may be required to drain or remove the growth. The surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen, drains the cyst, and removes its outer tissue.
For laparoscopic procedures, minimally invasive, small incisions are made and result in less pain and faster recovery.
Kidney cyst removal is usually performed at a medical center under general anesthesia. In the case of an infected cyst, antibiotic therapy may be started before any other treatment.
