Bilateral Cystic Kidneys Research Articles

Nephroblastoma and end-stage renal failure with bilateral cystic kidneys

A child of 10 years 5 months presenting with chronic renal failure had bilateral cystic kidneys. Biopsy of a right lower-pole solid mass revealed nephroblastoma. At bilateral nephrectomy, both kidneys were both replaced by variable-sized cysts with a unifocal nephroblastoma on the right. Renal failure with nephroblastoma is uncommon and is usually either a manifestation of the Drash syndrome or a complication of chemotherapy. The need to assess both kidneys in a child with any other renal abnormality in addition to a renal mass should always be considered.

Molecular genetic diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in a newborn with bilateral cystic kidneys detected prenatally and multiple skeletal malformations.

We report a case of an unusual prenatal presentation of polycystic kidneys associated with multiple skeletal limb defects, including polydactyly, syndactyly, bilateral agenesis of the tibia, and club foot. The ultrasonographic picture was consistent with a diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease, either the adult onset autosomal dominant type (ADPKD) or the early onset autosomal recessive form (ARPKD). However, there was a positive family history for ADPKD. Linkage analysis was performed in 10 family members, of whom four were affected, using six flanking DNA markers tightly linked to the PKD1 locus on chromosome 16p, and one marker linked to the putative PKD2 locus on chromosome 2p. Lod score determinations indicated that the affected gene in the family is most likely PKD1. The patient inherited the disease linked haplotype from his affected mother.

The Urinary System in Down Syndrome: A Study of 124 Autopsy Cases

We examined 124 autopsy cases of Down syndrome for the presence of renal and urinary tract abnormalities. The cases were divided into three groups: (I) fetuses of 16-22 weeks gestation (n = 18), (II) stillborns or newborns who died on the first day of life (n = 9), and (III) Down patients 1 day to 25 years of age (n = 97). Kidney weight was reduced by a mean of 14.4% compared with expected values. Renal hypoplasia, defined as kidney weight less than two-thirds expected, was found in 18 cases. Glomerular microcysts were found in 23 of 97 cases in group III. Focal dilatation of tubules was found in 10, simple cysts in 7, and immature glomeruli deep in the renal cortex in 18 cases. Obstructive uropathy occurred in 2 of 18 (11.1%) in group I, 2 of 9 (22.2%) in group II, and 4 of 97 (4.1%) in group III. Obstructive uropathy with bilateral cystic dysplastic kidneys resulted in Potter's sequence. We suggest that obstructive uropathy is associated with Down syndrome. When severe, it results in Potter's sequence and an early perinatal death. A chromosomal analysis is recommended in any case of obstructive uropathy in the fetal or neonatal period.

The Gardner-Silengo-Wachtel or genito-palato-cardiac syndrome: male pseudohermaphroditism with micrognathia, cleft palate, and conotruncal cardiac defect.

We report on two sib fetuses with similar abnormalities detected prenatally by ultrasound. The first fetus had micrognathia, was without cleft palate, and had low-set ears, double outlet right ventricle with a ventricular septal defect, and 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. The second sib fetus was born with cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, transposition of the great vessels, ventricular septal defect, a right-sided aorta arch, and bilateral cystic kidneys with hypospadias. We were able to identify 11 additional cases in the literature with similar findings. We think this set of defects is a recognizable syndrome that appears to be inherited either as an autosomal recessive or as an X-linked recessive and may overlap with the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.

Unilateral Presentation of Adult-Type Polycystic Kidney Disease in Children

Adult polycystic kidney disease is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, diffuse bilateral cystic kidney disease and onset during the young adult years. Relatively few cases of adult-type polycystic kidney disease in children have been reported. We describe a 4-year-old girl who appeared to have multiple, unilateral simple renal cysts by excretory urography and ultrasonography. There was no known familial renal cystic disease. When renal histology was consistent with adult-type polycystic kidney disease, screening nephrosonograms revealed that the mother also had the disease. We review 10 published cases of unilateral presentation of adult-type polycystic kidney disease in children. This report emphasizes the necessity of screening studies in parents of children with diffuse unilateral or bilateral cystic renal disease. Awareness of the unexpected unilateral presentation of adult-type polycystic kidney disease in children may allow a nonoperative diagnosis to be made.

Unilateral Multicystic Renal Disease of the Newborn

Unilateral multicystic disease is rare, but its recognition is important because surgical treatment is so satisfactory even in infants. It must be differentiated from the other forms of renal cystic disease, that is, bilateral polycystic disease or solitary cysts of the kidney.* Review of the Literature Bugbee and Wollstein 6 studied the urinary tract of 4903 infants at necropsy and found a total of only four cases of unilateral cystic renal disease, an incidence of 0.1%. In the same study 11 bilateral cystic kidneys were found, 0.2%. The present knowledge of the pathogenesis of these disorders is scant and theoretical. It is known, however, that the ureteral bud (which is derived from the Wolfian duct) as it ascends from the pelvis to form the collecting system of the permanent kidney must unite with the nephrons of the metanephrons. The most widely accepted theory concerning the origin of the polycystic and