# Infected Solitary Renal Cyst in an Elderly Woman With Chronic Urinary Retention

## TL;DR

An elderly woman with a chronic urinary issue developed an infected kidney cyst showing unusual symptoms, which was successfully treated with antibiotics.

## Contribution

This case highlights the rare complication of infected solitary renal cysts presenting with atypical symptoms in elderly patients.

## Key findings

- Infected solitary renal cysts can present with non-specific symptoms like dizziness and malaise.
- Chronic urinary retention may contribute to the development of cyst infections.
- Antibiotic treatment alone can be effective for infected renal cysts without surgical intervention.

## Abstract

Solitary renal cysts are common in elderly individuals and are usually asymptomatic. Cyst infection is rare but should be recognized as a potential complication. We report an 89-year-old woman with an infected solitary renal cyst who presented with atypical symptoms, including only dizziness, anorexia, and malaise, without localizing signs. Laboratory tests showed elevated inflammatory markers and pyuria, and Escherichia coli was isolated from urine. Imaging revealed enlargement and wall thickening of a Bosniak category II right renal cyst with debris-like echoes. She improved with antibiotics alone. Chronic urinary retention due to neurogenic bladder was considered a possible contributing factor to the cyst infection.