[Cystic kidneys (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease)]

Polycystic kidney disease is a rather common genetic disorder, with an estimated amount of 8 to 10% of patients in the dialysis population. Meanwhile the defective gene of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease [ADPKD], another common terminus for this disorder, has been localized on the short arm of chromosome 16. The genetic disorder is not strictly localized on the kidney, whereas other organ systems like cardiac valves, brain arteries, liver, colon, etc. may be involved in the disease process. Hypertension is an early and common feature of the disease and its probably an important factor for progression of renal failure in ADPKD. Not all carriers of the ADPKD-trait progress to endstage renal failure, about 50% at the age of 50 years. Patients with ADPKD have a good prognosis in renal replacement therapy programs such as dialysis or renal transplantation.