Kidney cysts are common, fluid-filled sacs that can develop on or in the kidneys, often without causing any issues. While many simple cysts are harmless and discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions, some can become hemorrhagic. When a kidney cyst contains blood, it’s known as a hemorrhagic kidney cyst.
Understanding Hemorrhagic Kidney Cysts
A hemorrhagic kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac on the kidney that has experienced internal bleeding. These are a type of simple kidney cyst, considered benign. Bleeding can stem from various factors, including minor trauma to the kidney region, an underlying infection within the cyst, or the spontaneous rupture of small blood vessels lining the cyst wall.
They are common, especially in individuals over 50, with about half of people in this age group having at least one kidney cyst. Although many people have kidney cysts, only a small percentage experience a bleeding event within the cyst. Most hemorrhagic kidney cysts remain non-cancerous.
Recognizing Symptoms
Hemorrhagic kidney cysts can manifest with a range of symptoms, although smaller cysts may not cause any noticeable issues. One common symptom is pain, which can present as a sharp or dull ache in the flank, side, or upper abdomen. If bleeding within the cyst is sudden or significant, the pain may be acute and severe.
Another indicator is hematuria, or blood in the urine. This blood may be visible to the naked eye, appearing pink, red, or cola-colored, or it may only be detectable through microscopic analysis during a urine test. Other symptoms can include fever, nausea, or vomiting, particularly if the cyst becomes infected or causes significant irritation.
Knowing When to Seek Medical Help
It is important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms that could indicate a hemorrhagic kidney cyst. Any new or unexplained symptoms, even if seemingly mild, warrant a consultation with a healthcare professional to rule out other conditions. This is particularly true for individuals who have known kidney cysts.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe or worsening pain in your back or side. Visible blood in your urine, regardless of the amount, requires urgent medical assessment. A fever accompanied by pain in the kidney area could indicate an infection within the cyst, requiring immediate medical care.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis involves imaging tests. These include ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging modalities help visualize the cyst, determine its size, and assess the presence of blood or other characteristics. Blood and urine tests may also be performed to evaluate kidney function and check for complications like infection.
Treatment approaches vary based on the cyst’s size, symptoms, and any associated complications. Smaller, asymptomatic cysts require only watchful waiting, meaning they are monitored over time with follow-up imaging. For symptomatic cysts, pain management is a primary focus.
If the cyst is large, persistent, or causing significant symptoms or complications, medical procedures may be considered. These can include drainage of the cyst using a needle guided by imaging, sometimes followed by sclerotherapy where an alcohol-based solution is injected to prevent recurrence. Surgical removal may be necessary for very large cysts, those causing ongoing problems, or if there is suspicion of malignancy.