New Insights into Cystic Kidney Diseases

Hereditary cystic kidney diseases are considered as "ciliopathies" caused by abnormalities of the "primary cilia" situated on the tubules. As a result of dysplasia and dysfunction of cilia, formation of cysts occurs at various stages of life. Although occurring at a low incidence, hereditary cystic kidney diseases that develop from the fetal stage to childhood are diverse and are often associated with systemic disorders. The incidence of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, which is the only adult-onset hereditary cystic kidney disease, is the highest among hereditary renal disorders.