Unilateral renal cystic disease

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Unilateral renal cystic disease (URCD) is a distinct renal cystic entity.
• It presents as multiple cysts in one kidney without contralateral involvement.
• URCD is nonfamilial, nonprogressive, and unrelated to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Observation:

• A case of URCD with a six-year computed tomography (CT) follow-up is presented.
• The cystic disease was confined to one kidney.
• No cysts were observed in other organs like the liver or pancreas.

Findings:

• The unilateral nature and absence of cysts in other organs differentiate URCD from ADPKD.
• The absence of an encapsulated mass and presence of normal renal parenchyma between cysts distinguish URCD from cystic renal tumors.
• CT imaging confirmed the localized cystic changes over six years.

Implications:

• Accurate differentiation of URCD from ADPKD and cystic renal tumors is crucial for diagnosis and management.
• Long-term imaging follow-up aids in understanding the nonprogressive nature of URCD.
• This case highlights the importance of detailed imaging analysis in diagnosing rare renal cystic diseases.