Surgical management of benign renal cysts causing obstruction of renal pelvis

During the last fifteen years, 6 adult patients were treated in whom obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction or the renal pelvis was caused by a benign renal cyst. The cyst extended from the renal hilus in each case and had turgor sufficient to overcome the pressure of intrapelvic urine. Operative unroofing of the cyst relieved the obstruction in each. In 5 of 6 cases, the postoperative radiographic appearance of the kidney showed marked improvement. Each patient was followed for at least five years, and no recurrence of the obstruction was noted. Operative treatment is recommended when a renal cyst causes significant obstruction of the major calyceal or renal pelvic outflow.