MRI-based kidney volume measurements in ADPKD: reliability and effect of gadolinium enhancement

ADPKD: Prototype of Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 4

The cardiorenal syndrome type 4 (Chronic Renocardiac Syndrome) is characterized by a condition of primary chronic kidney disease (CKD) that leads to an impairment of the cardiac function, ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and/or increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Clinically, it is very difficult to distinguish between CRS type 2 (Chronic Cardiorenal Syndrome) and CRS type 4 (Chronic Renocardiac Syndrome) because often it is not clear whether the primary cause of the syndrome depends on the heart or the kidney. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic disease that causes CKD, could be viewed as an ideal prototype of CRS type 4 because it is certain that the primary cause of cardiorenal syndrome is the kidney disease. In this paper, we will briefly review the epidemiology of ADPKD, conventional and novel biomarkers which may be useful in following the disease process, and prevention and treatment strategies.

Polycystic kidney disease: pathogenesis and potential therapies

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a prevalent, inherited condition for which there is currently no effective specific clinical therapy. The disease is characterized by the progressive development of fluid-filled cysts derived from renal tubular epithelial cells which gradually compress the parenchyma and compromise renal function. Current interests in the field focus on understanding and exploiting signaling mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis as well as delineating the role of the primary cilium in cystogenesis. This review highlights the pathogenetic pathways underlying renal cyst formation as well as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of PKD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Renal ultrasonographic evaluation in children at risk of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

To date, there are no criteria for diagnosing autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in at-risk children 15 years or younger.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal (retrospective cohort study).

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

420 children (mean age, 8.3 +/- 4.2 years) with a family history of ADPKD were studied.

MEASUREMENTS

Renal ultrasonography was performed for cyst detection. Urine protein was measured using two 24-hour urine collections. Glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Schwartz formula. Blood pressure measurements were performed in the arm with the highest blood pressure, using an appropriate cuff size. Standard 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography was performed for measuring left ventricular mass index.

PREDICTORS

None.

OUTCOME

Presence of renal cysts.

RESULTS

Renal cysts were detected in 193 children and no cysts were detected in 227 children. In children with renal cysts, 150 had bilateral and 43 had unilateral cysts. Children with bilateral cysts had larger kidneys and more hypertension than children with unilateral or no cysts. Follow-up in 77 children 15 years or younger showed bilateral cysts in 14 and unilateral cysts in 4 of the children who had no detectable renal cysts using ultrasonography at baseline. Similar follow-up of 26 children 15 years or younger with unilateral cysts detected at baseline showed bilateral cysts in 17 children using ultrasonography. By 15 years of age, 181 patients in the total group of 420 showed bilateral cysts. Overall, 193 of 304 children (63.4%) who had follow-up at any age developed bilateral cysts detected using ultrasonography.

LIMITATIONS

Follow-up unavailable for all participants.

CONCLUSION

The present results in 420 at-risk children with ADPKD 15 years or younger detected bilateral renal cysts using ultrasonography in 181 of the children who had a family history of this genetic disease.