The kidney's function in the body is to remove waste products by filtering the blood. The kidneys, like other organs in the body, may develop structural abnormalities. A simple cyst abnormality implies that a single fluid-filled sac is present in the kidney, while polycystic kidney disease, which arises from a genetic disease, means many cysts are present in the kidney. The difference between a simple cyst and polycyst is the number present in the kidney.
Symptoms and Examination by a Doctor
Some cysts produce no symptoms, and others may grow large enough to cause symptoms and pain in the back or side. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, other symptoms of kidney cysts include abdominal pain, blood in the urine and frequent urinary tract infections. When symptoms occur, MayoClinic.com advises an examination by a health care provider. As part of the evaluation, the physician will use imaging tests including ultrasound, computed tomography, known as CT, or magnetic resonance imaging, known as MRI, to investigate whether the mass is a cyst or tumor.
Periodic Checkups
If simple cysts exist as shown on an imaging test and the person exhibits no symptoms, no treatment is necessary. The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institute of Health reports that 30 percent of individuals over the age of 70 years have kidney cysts with no symptoms. Instead of treatment, the physician will advise an ultrasound or CT scan periodically to check if the kidney cyst enlarges. If the signs and symptoms occur, the physician may suggest treatment at a later date.
Antibiotic Therapy
If the person exhibits pain in the back or side, fever, blood in the urine, or abdominal pain, the physician may recommend treatment. If infection occurs, antibiotics treat the infected cysts. The physician will order an antibiotic specific for the infection. The patient must complete the full treatment cycle and take all the antibiotics.
Kidney Cyst Removal by Needle Puncture
One option for removing a symptomatic cyst consists of puncturing the cyst and instilling alcohol inside the cyst to shrink it. This procedure is performed local anesthesia and involves inserting a needle through the skin and into the wall of the kidney to the cyst site. The physician withdraws the fluid in the cyst and fills the empty cyst with alcohol. MayoClinic.com reports that re-occurrence of the kidney cyst is a downside of the procedure. Providers perform this procedure in outpatient centers.
Laparoscopic Cyst Removal
If the cyst appears difficult to remove, another option for treatment utilizes surgery for removal of the kidney cyst. The physician uses a laparoscopic procedure that requires several small incisions through which a video monitor and tools are placed in the area of the cyst. He then uses the tools to drain the fluid from the cyst. Next, the physician cuts out or burns away the walls of the cyst. An overnight stay in the hospital may be required.
