[Polycystic kidney disease with autosomal dominant transmission]

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease affect adults starting the 5th decade of life. It is caused by at least two different gene defects, one gene being located on the short arm of chromosome 16. It's more frequent at women and clinically, near renal cysts, appear others systemic manifestations as hepatic cysts, intracranial aneurysms, cardiac valvular lesions or diverticula. The diagnosis is set up on urography and ultrasonography and the treatment attempt to slow down the evolution to renal failure and to prevent the complications as infections, obstructions and hypertension, that may aggravate the prognosis. Lately there are discussions about a preventive treatment consisting in genetic counseling.