Polycystic kidney

Abstract

Up to 1973, 197 cases of multicystic kidneys were described in the literature, only 23 being in adults. Four own observations of a multicystic kidney in adults are reported. In one of them a combination of multicystosis of the one and of nephrolithiasis of the other kidney was observed; in another case there was a traumatic rupture of the one hydronephrotically changed kidney and a multicystosis of the other. No references to the combination of this malformation with such diseases and injuries were found in the literature. The morphological peculiarities, the clinical picture, treatment and prognosis of multicystosis are discussed. Special attention is paid to the radiological symptom of this malformation: in adults the general radiograph of the renal area as a rule shows multiple calcified shadows. In excretion urography the multicystic kidney does not excrete the contrast medium, 'dumb kidney'. The rudimental ureter ostium can be preserved. In the retrograde ureterography the ureter fills up to the height of its occlusion.