How to treat a cyst on the kidney

A cyst on the kidney—commonly referred to as a renal cyst—is typically treated surgically. Alternatively, ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration and sclerotherapy may be performed: the cyst fluid is aspirated, and alcohol is then injected into the cyst cavity to induce sclerosis.

Renal cysts vary in size. Small cysts generally cause no symptoms and have no adverse impact on health, thus requiring no treatment. However, larger cysts—particularly those exceeding 3 cm—may produce symptoms or compress adjacent organs, leading to pressure-related symptoms, thereby necessitating intervention.Cysts smaller than 5 cm (but larger than 3 cm) are usually suitable for aspiration and sclerotherapy, whereas cysts larger than 5 cm are generally managed via laparoscopic decortication (cyst unroofing) or fenestration.