Medullary sponge kidney and chronic pain: is there a role for renal denervation

Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a congenital disorder of the distal nephron, characterized by cystic dilatation of the papillary and medullary tubules. It commonly presents with recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis and often, severe, life-altering chronic pain syndromes, often independent of urinary obstruction and of uncertain etiology. Management focuses on stone prevention and symptomatic care, but these measures are frequently inadequate. No studies of management of this pain syndrome in these patients have been performed. There are essentially no studies evaluating renal denervation in MSK specifically, although the technique has been utilized with some benefit in other disorders, underscoring a major therapeutic gap. In this review, we describe patients with MSK and chronic pain syndrome and review the role of renal denervation as a potential therapy.

Renal denervation may represent a promising strategy for chronic kidney pain syndrome. It could provide pain relief and improve quality of life in affected patients.

The optimal management strategy for chronic pain in MSK has not been elucidated. Renal denervation has recently been utilized and approved for the management of blood pressure. It could be useful for managing chronic kidney pain in this condition as well.