Kidney cystic disease is a condition where the kidneys form multiple, growing fluid-filled cysts. As a result of pressure, they destroy the surrounding parenchyma of the kidney, which over time leads to long-term failure of this organ. The condition may be congenital or acquired.

Types of renal cystic disease

  1. Congenital cystic disease – it can take a dominant or recessive form. In the former, both kidneys develop slowly and reveal clinically usually between the ages of 15 and 30. In the case of autosomal recessive polycystic disease, the course of the disease is much faster: end-stage renal failure occurs in most patients by the age of 20, and in very severe cases children with this ailment die within a few days after birth.
  2. Acquired cystic disease – develops in people with chronic kidney disease who undergo dialysis for a long time, usually asymptomatic. This form of polycystic disease has been shown to significantly increase the risk of kidney cancer.

Kidney cystic disease – symptoms

The symptoms of renal cystic disease are similar for all forms of renal cystic disease; they differ only in severity. In addition to urine concentrating disorders, there are:

  1. arterial hypertension (renin is synthesized in the kidneys – a substance involved in the regulation of blood pressure);
  2. periodic hematuria,
  3. pain in the lumbar region,
  4. anemia may develop – as a result of damage to erythropoietin (a factor that stimulates the synthesis of red blood cells).

Diagnosis and treatment of renal cystic disease

The basic test in the diagnosis of renal cystic disease is abdominal ultrasound. In the case of hereditary polycystic disease, changes in the kidneys can be detected in utero.

Treatment is primarily symptomatic therapy, mainly consisting in controlling blood pressure to values ​​below 130 / 80mmHg. In end-stage renal failure, renal replacement therapy is implemented.

Note: Renal cystic disease must be distinguished from individual cysts in the kidney. For reasons not fully understood, they appear in the elderly. As a rule, they do not give any symptoms and do not require treatment.

Text: SzB

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