Localized cystic disease of the kidney: a rare entity

Unilateral Cystic Kidney Disease in a Young Female

Unilateral renal cystic disease has been mostly reported in older male patients; however, this case is novel as the youngest reported case in the literature and in a female patient. We present a 22-year-old female with no past medical history and no family history of renal disease that was incidentally found to have unilateral renal cystic disease on computed tomography imaging. The patient’s renal function was not impaired and the cystic kidney was found to be functioning appropriately on an intravenous pyelogram. The unilateral cystic disease is benign but must be differentiated from autosomal dominant polycystic disease to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Case report: Atypical polycystic kidney disease

Atypical or unilateral polycystic kidney disease is a rare entity that is found incidentally and is characterized on imaging as asymmetric or unilateral distribution of cysts confined to the kidneys. We present a case of an incidental finding of atypical polycystic kidney disease in a 72-year-old male. Computed tomography imaging showed asymmetric distribution of cysts only in the kidneys and the patient had no genitourinary symptoms, had normal renal function, and did not have a family history of renal disease. Although considered to be benign, rare cases of progression of atypical polycystic kidney disease to bilateral polycystic kidney disease has been documented in the literature, which portends a worse prognosis. It is important for clinicians to be aware of this entity so that patients can be monitored periodically for progression of disease.

Is it always Wilms' tumor? Localized cystic disease of the kidney in an infant: An extremely rare case report and review of the literature

Localized Cystic Disease of the Kidney (LCDK) is an extremely rare benign disease in pediatric population. Although its management is conservative and generally requires no treatment, the unfamiliarity with the disease can expose such patients to misdiagnosis as renal malignancies or uncertainty for proper treatment. We report such a case in an infant and review the current literature.

[LOCALIZED CYSTIC DISEASE OF THE KIDNEY IN A 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL]

Localized cystic disease of the kidney (LCDK) is a rare, non-hereditary, non-progressive benign cystic renal condition. It is found primarily in adults, and is rarely reported in children. To date, only 5 prepubertal cases of LCDK have been reported in the literature. In this report, we present a case of LCDK that was difficult to differentiate from malignant renal tumor in a 6-year-old girl. Nephron-sparing surgery could not be performed.A 6-year-old girl with no past medical history presented with gross hematuria and right-sided abdominal pain. An abdominal ultrasound at a local hospital showed multiple variable-sized cysts throughout the right kidney. She was referred to our hospital for further evaluation. Computed tomography demonstrated that the region between cysts was slightly enhanced in some part of the lower pole and was diagnosed III in the Bosniak classification. Nephrectomy was performed for possible cystic renal neoplasm. After surgery, a diagnosis of LCDK was made by histopathological examination.

Disparate Presentations of Localized Cystic Disease of Kidney: A Review with an Objective of Correct Approach for Accurate Treatment Plan

Background

Localized cystic disease of the kidney is a rare, non-familial condition. Its imaging and clinical features are unique and need to be differentiated from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and focal cystic masses such as multicystic nephroma and cystic renal cell carcinoma. It is always restricted to one kidney and is characterized by multiple cysts of varying sizes separated by residual normal renal tissue.

Materials and methods

This study reports 12 cases of localized cystic disease of the kidney based on imaging findings and clinical histories. The modalities of choice were ultrasonography followed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Eight out of 12 patients were men and the average age of presentation was 46 years. The screening of family members and relatives was done to rule out the differentials.

Results

Localized cystic disease of kidney was diagnosed in all the patients and it presented in two different forms. In three patients, multiple cysts involved whole of the kidney, resulting in thinned-out residual renal parenchyma. In the rest nine patients it remained localised to a particular segment of the kidney. No cysts were observed in the contralateral kidney in seven patients, and one or two simple cysts were observed in five. Clinical presentations included only flank pain in six patients, flank pain with palpable abdominal mass in four patients, two patients presented as asymptomatic cases with diagnosis as an incidental finding and one patient with hematuria. Eight patients underwent imaging and two underwent clinical follow-up for a period of two years showing stability of the disease. One patient underwent nephrectomy for suspected renal neoplasm.

Conclusion

Localized cystic disease of the kidney is a unilateral, rare and stable disease that has two different forms of presentations. Its imaging findings should be clearly understood so as to not classify it as a separate disease and avoid unnecessary surgery. It rarely leads to hypertension or polycythemia, and until then no definitive management is required. It can be followed up using imaging techniques and requires nephrectomy only when the suspicion of malignancy is strong.

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of an ambiguous cystic kidney disease in a resource limited setting: a case report

Background

Unilateral renal cystic disease is a rare condition that shares morphological similarities with multicystic dysplastic kidney, the former often distinguished from the latter on some clinical and histopathological grounds. However serious diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas set in when there is a considerable overlap in the distinguishing features between these entities.

Case presentation

A 19-year-old African female presented with a chronic severe debilitating right lower quadrant abdominal pain refractory to analgesics. Biochemical investigations and imaging studies revealed a non-functional polycystic right kidney and no identifiable pelvicalyceal system or ureter but with preserved renal function. The marked overlap in clinical presentation between unilateral renal cystic disease and multicystic dysplastic kidney in this patient necessitated further investigation to pose an appropriate diagnosis. A right nephrectomy was performed and histopathological analysis of the resected kidney done, the results of which were more consistent with unilateral renal cystic disease. The post-operative course was favorable.

Conclusion

Unilateral renal cystic disease with an ipsilateral non-functional kidney and an atretic pelvicalyceal system is a very rare condition that needs to be distinguished from multicystic dysplastic kidney in order to guide management and set prognosis. A suspicion of either of these diseases therefore warrants a thorough clinical evaluation and the appropriate combination of biochemical and imaging investigations.

Localized cystic disease of the kidney: a rare cause of hypertension in a young adult

Localized cystic disease of kidney (LCDK) is a rare, non-familial, non-progressive renal disorder that is not associated with cysts or disorders in other organs. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. While this condition is morphologically identical to the autosomal dominant form of polycystic kidney disease, it is not inherited and is not associated with significant deterioration of renal function. We present a case of a 16-year-old male patient who suffered from hypertension for over two years. On imaging we found several, variable-sized cysts in the upper half of the right kidney. The left kidney and lower segment of the right kidney were normal. Selective renal vein catheterization and sampling showed markedly elevated renin level in the right upper segmental vein (92 pg/ml, normal value: 11-33 pg/ml). The patient underwent a right upper heminephrectomy and histopathology was suggestive of LCDK. After surgery, the patient's blood pressure returned to normal levels without any need of antihypertensive medication and he is under follow-up on outpatient basis for the past two years.