The cystic renal lesion in tuberous sclerosis

A characteristic cystic renal lesion is described in three infants with tuberous sclerosis. Large cystic kidneys were present at birth in one child. The other two patients were discovered to have cystic kidneys and hypertension at 3 months of age. Development delay and seizures were ultimately present in two infants; typical cutaneous lesions of tuberous sclerosis developed in only one child. The roentgenographic appearance of the kidneys in the two older children was similar to that of adult-type polycystic kidney disease. Cysts were lined by a distinctive, hyperplastic epithelium in each patient. The diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis may be determined by renal biopsy in infants presenting with cystic kidneys.