Causes and Treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Causes and Treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease - What is polycystic kidney disease? Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a congenital disease that affects the kidneys. Fluid sacs (called cysts) grow in the kidneys. If too many cysts grow or if they are too large, the kidneys become damaged. Cysts can also cause pain or may be infected. PKD is the most common inherited disease in the United States. Children from parents who have PKD have a 50% chance of developing the disease.

For many people, PKD is mild and only causes minor problems. PKD is more severe in some people and can cause kidney failure. About 60% of PKD sufferers also have high blood pressure, which can be treated with medication. About 50% of patients suffering from PKD experience kidney failure at the age of 60 years. Dialysis (blood filtering) and kidney transplantation are effective treatments for kidney failure.


Symptoms

What are the symptoms of PKD?

The most common symptom of PKD is high blood pressure. Other symptoms are:

Back and side pain in the blood Often kidney infection

PKD is often diagnosed when a person starts having symptoms, but not all patients will have all of these symptoms.


Cause

Who is at risk of developing PKD?

PKD is generally worse in men, African Americans and people who have sickle cell disease. There is also a childhood form of PKD, which is usually more severe than the type that occurs in adults.


Diagnosis

How is PKD diagnosed?

PKD is often diagnosed when a person starts having PKD symptoms, but not everyone who has PKD will have all of these symptoms.


If you have PKD symptoms or if you are at risk for this disease, your doctor may want you to undergo an ultrasound examination. Ultrasound examination uses sound waves to draw your organs and can detect kidney cysts. Your doctor may also order CT (computerized tomography) to look for kidney cysts.

Can PKD be diagnosed in an unborn baby?

Yes. PKD can be diagnosed in unborn babies using a test called amniocentesis. During this test, a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus. The liquid is then tested. Another test, called chorionic villus sampling, involves testing a very small placenta. If you have PKD and are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about this procedure.


Who should be examined by PKD?

If one of your parents has PKD, you should consider doing an ultrasound examination on your kidney. If you have PKD and you also have relatives who have a brain aneurysm, your doctor may suggest that you have CT or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of your brain to check for aneurysms. (MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of your brain.) If you are at high risk for aneurysms, your doctor may suggest that you have a CT or MRI of the brain every 5 years to detect aneurysms before he causes problems


Treatment

Is there treatment for PKD?

There are no treatments available for cysts caused by PKD. If the cyst causes symptoms, these symptoms can be treated so that you will be more comfortable.


Complications

Can other organs be hurt by PKD?

People who have PKD may also have cysts in the liver, but these cysts rarely cause problems. Other organs that may be affected include the brain, intestines, pancreas, ovaries and spleen. PKD can cause problems with heart valves in some people. If PKD affects the brain, it can cause aneurysms (prominent blood vessels that can rupture).