Is hydronephrosis with cysts serious?

Hydronephrosis with cysts may have adverse effects on renal function. The severity of the disease needs to be determined based on the size of the cyst, the degree of hydronephrosis, and the cause of the disease. If you experience pain in the waist, urinary tract symptoms, or other obvious discomfort, you should seek medical attention and treatment as soon as possible. Usually, medication, surgery, or lifestyle intervention are used to solve the problem depending on the cause.

1Possible causes of hydronephrosis and cysts

Hydronephrosis can be caused by urinary tract obstruction, urinary tract infection, kidney stones, congenital malformations, etc. The lesions prevent urine from being discharged normally, so it accumulates in the kidneys. Cysts are mostly benign and may be caused by hereditary polycystic kidney disease, senile degeneration, or past infection and trauma. When both exist at the same time, they will increase the pressure on the kidneys and affect renal function. In particular, long-term high pressure will cause renal parenchyma atrophy, which may increase the risk of renal failure.

2 Treatment recommendations for urinary tract obstruction

If hydronephrosis is caused by a urinary tract obstruction such as kidney stones, a tumor, or an enlarged prostate, the following may be done:

Drug treatment: For obstruction caused by small stones or infection, the doctor may prescribe antispasmodics, excretion-promoting drugs such as alpha-blockers, and antibiotics to promote the relief of obstruction.

Minimally invasive surgery: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or endoscopic lithotripsy is suitable for larger stones. For tumors or strictures, cystoscopy or urinary tract recanalization techniques can be used.

Stent placement or ostomy drainage: In severe cases of obstruction, temporary pressure relief may be required through stent dilation or ostomy drainage.

3 Intervention and treatment of cysts

For small, asymptomatic cysts, no intervention is usually required, but regular follow-up monitoring is necessary. If the cyst is large or causes significant compression symptoms, the following treatment options may be considered:

Drug intervention: For cysts associated with symptoms of infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics can be used for treatment.

Cyst puncture and fluid extraction: combined with sclerosing agent injection technology, it can reduce the cyst volume and related pressure.

Surgical treatment: Laparoscopic cystectomy is suitable for multicystic and giant cysts. Renal function and urinary tract status need to be monitored after surgery.

4 Lifestyle conditioning and prevention methods

Drink water in moderation: Control your daily water intake and avoid drinking large amounts of water which will aggravate water retention.

Dietary adjustments: Reduce high-salt, high-purine foods to avoid stone formation or increase the burden on the kidneys.

Avoid infection: Keep the perineum clean and treat urinary tract infections promptly to prevent the condition from getting worse.

If hydronephrosis and cysts are not treated in time, it may cause renal dysfunction or even uremia. If you find similar symptoms, be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible to get a clear diagnosis and treatment plan to protect kidney health and avoid worsening of the disease.