[Cystic kidney disease in the adult. Update]

Genetic changes on the extracellular matrix of nephron basal lamina seem to underlie the pathogenesis of renal cystic disease, as also confirmed by experimental results. The cysts behave as dynamic structures and repeat some physiological features of the nephron segment which gave origin to them. These properties reflect, for instance, on the pharmacokinetics of antibacterial drugs. New imaging techniques detect more and more asymptomatic cystic formations of very little volume. Moreover, a better definition of some complications, such as haemorrhage and infections, is afforded by the RX- and RM-CT and the use of specific radiopharmaceuticals (67Ga-citrate, 99mTc-sulfur-colloids, 111In-labeled leucocytes).