Symptoms of renal cyst

Renal cysts are usually asymptomatic, i.e. they are not noticed by those affected, as they do not cause any symptoms. In most cases the cysts are discovered and diagnosed as a random finding of an ultrasound examination (sonography). In rare cases, they can nevertheless cause complaints in the form of complications, such as infections.

In the case of a renal cyst, blood in the urine, inflammation of the renal pelvis and also inflammation of the urinary tract can occur. Flank pain may occur. It can be dangerous in case of an infection of an hemorrhaged cyst. Renal insufficiency, i.e. the insufficient functioning or even failure of the kidneys, usually occurs in the 4th – 6th decade of life.

Complications

Again, the normal kidney cyst is rather harmless, apart from possible inflammations. In the case of the renal cyst, which is due to a defect within chromosome 16, further complications may occur. The cysts can not only affect the kidney, but also the kidney itself: Frequently, the heart valves are also affected, which in the course of time become insufficient, i.e. no longer fulfill their function to the full extent.

A cardiac insufficiency develops. Further complications of a renal cyst are, for example, arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) and inguinal hernias (inguinal hernia). High blood pressure is caused, among other things, by the kidneys no longer being able to excrete enough sodium.

Sodium chloride, i.e. common salt, is retained in the blood together with water and thus also generates a higher pressure due to the higher volume.

Spleen
Pancreas
Lung
Ovaries
Testicles
Thyroid gland
And also affect the liver.

The diagnosis of renal cysts is mainly done by ultrasound. Here the cysts appear as dark cavities.

Fluid always appears dark in the ultrasound. Behind these cysts a so-called acoustic shadow appears in the ultrasound image. In the case of the hereditary cyst kidney, large, palpable kidneys are often present. Here too, the diagnosis is made with the help of ultrasound, whereby kidney and liver cysts must be detected. A genetic analysis is only rarely necessary.