Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Use of Ultra-high Field MRI in Small Rodent Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease for In Vivo Phenotyping and Drug Monitoring
Published on: June 23, 2015
Atypical Polycystic Kidney Disease as defined by Imaging
Ioan-Andrei Iliuta1, Aung Zaw Win2, Matthew B Lanktree3
1Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network and University of Toronto, 8N838, 585 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2N2, Canada.
Insights
Atypical autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) imaging patterns identify a distinct patient group. These individuals are older, less likely to have genetic mutations, and show a low risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Medical Imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disorder.
- The Mayo Clinic Imaging Classification aids in assessing chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk in ADPKD.
- Patients with atypical imaging patterns are excluded and poorly characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of atypical ADPKD by imaging.
- To compare clinical, genetic, and prognostic features of atypical versus typical ADPKD.
- To define the renal prognosis for patients with atypical ADPKD imaging.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of patients from the Toronto Genetic Epidemiology Study of Polycystic Kidney Disease (2016-2018).
- Inclusion of clinical questionnaires, kidney function tests, genetic testing, and MRI/CT imaging.
- Comparison of prevalence, clinical features, genetics, and renal outcomes between atypical and typical ADPKD groups.
Main Results:
- 8.8% of patients (46/523) exhibited atypical ADPKD imaging.
- Atypical ADPKD patients were older, less likely to have a family history or detectable PKD1/PKD2 mutations.
- Atypical ADPKD patients showed significantly lower rates of progression to CKD stages 3 or 5.
Conclusions:
- Atypical ADPKD by imaging represents a distinct clinical and genetic entity.
- These patients have a favorable prognosis with a low likelihood of CKD progression.
- Further research into atypical ADPKD imaging patterns is warranted.
Abstract:
Using age- and height-adjusted total kidney volume, the Mayo Clinic Imaging Classification provides a validated approach to assess the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), but requires excluding patients with atypical imaging patterns, whose clinical characteristics have been poorly defined. We report an analysis of the prevalence, clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with atypical polycystic kidney disease by imaging. Patients from the extended Toronto Genetic Epidemiology Study of Polycystic Kidney Disease recruited between 2016 and 2018 completed a standardized clinical questionnaire, kidney function assessment, genetic testing, and kidney imaging by magnetic resonance or computed tomography. We compared the prevalence, clinical features, genetics, and renal prognosis of atypical versus typical polycystic kidney disease by imaging. Forty-six of the 523 (8.8%) patients displayed atypical polycystic kidney disease by imaging; they were older (55 vs. 43 years; P < 0.001), and less likely to have a family history of ADPKD (26.1% vs. 74.6%; P < 0.001), a detectable PKD1 or PKD2 mutation (9.2% vs. 80.4%; P < 0.001), or progression to CKD stage 3 or stage 5 (P < 0.001). Patients with atypical polycystic kidney disease by imaging represent a distinct prognostic group with a low likelihood of progression to CKD.
Related Concept Videos
Nephrons
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography

