One third of people older than 50 years develop renal cysts. Although most are simple cysts, renal cystic disease has multiple etiologies. Broad categories of cystic disease include the following:
The most common larger cysts include acquired cysts, simple cysts, and cysts associated with ADPKD. Smaller cysts characterize ARPKD, JNPHP, MCKD, and MSK. In adults, renal angiomyolipomas and RCC may also have cystic components.