What Are Renal Cysts?
A renal cyst is a small pocket filled with fluid and located in the kidneys. Also known as kidney cysts, many renal cysts are benign, and people can live out their entire lives without any knowledge of a cyst. In other cases, they are a cause for concern, and a doctor may recommend follow up treatment which can include surgery to remove the renal cyst when a cyst is identified in the course of a medical examination and medical testing. What Causes Renal Cysts? Renal cysts are acquired lesions of the kidney. Although there is no accepted theory regarding the origin of renal cysts, at present, it is believed that they originate from the diverticulae of the distal convoluted or collecting tubules. Renal cysts are probably not clinically significant in dogs. In cats, when multiple cysts are noted, polycystic kidney disease should be considered. Renal cysts are detected by a renal ultrasound or CAT scan of the kidneys. Renal cysts are present in 59-63% of individuals with VHL and if one exc
