Spontaneous rupture of renal cysts into the pyelocaliceal system

Patients with spontaneous rupture of renal cortical cysts into the pyelocalciceal system present with gross hematuria, usually associated with flank or abdominal pain. Diagnosis is established by retrograde filling of the cyst cavity with contrast material through a wide pyelocaliceal communication visualized during IVP with nephrotomography. Percutaneous renal puncture with histochemical analysis of the aspirate is indicated in certain patients for diagnostic confirmation. Renal angiography and/or an operation should be performed when the differential diagnosis remains unclear. Antibiotics in the patients with urinary tract infections along with conservative medical management is sufficient treatment, since rapid closure of the cyst-pyelocaliceal communication with cessation of hemorrhage occurs rapidly in most patients.