Living Donor - Kidney Cysts

[Meggiewegs]

Hello! My first post.

I am a living donor working with paired exchange. I completed a few rounds of tests and got a call about my CT results, noting two cysts on my right kidney. I am scheduled for an MRI November 7th to see if they are simple or complex. I don't have any additional information about size or exact location, either. My nurse is pretty vague with the information and possible elimination, pending the tests. I'm only 34 and from what I can tell it's unusual on top of abnormal.

My question, for anyone on here who has gone through this since I can't find any clear information online, what is the overall experience with being rejected as a donor due to cysts? I assume a lot depends on the medical center and their restrictions and the recipient, but since I have two cysts already it might effect the decision, even if they are simple cysts. My mother has a simple cyst on her kidney and my sister had one (dissolved) on her adrenal gland - but no family history of kidney disease that I know of at this point.

All these tests and they were bound to find something, right?

Thanks for any info!

[elephant]

Dear Meggie,

I do not believe that cysts automatically disqualify donors.  I expect that further study will help make that determination.  Your future health is of the utmost importance!

Here is an article that gives some more information on this topic:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20005339

Love, elephant

[keroppigirl]

After my CT scan, they found a very small cyst on my kidney. They did an MRI and then found that I also had some kind of growth called a focal nodular hyperplasia. This is a benign tumor caused by birth control pills. I had to get one more MRI before they cleared me for donation. You can have cysts as long as they are benign. Like me, you'll go under some more tests till you are cleared. Mine turned out fine. I donated to my husband and I'm two weeks post op and doing ok. Good luck!

[elephant]

Congratulations on your successful donation! Many years of health and happiness for you both! 
Love, elephant