Radiologic features of “adult type” polycystic kidney disease in the neonate

Two cases are reported of adult type polycystic renal disease (autosomal dominant) presenting in the newborn as a unilateral abdominal mass. The radiographic findings in the involved kidney simulated the ectatic tubules of infantile polycystic disease, yet histologic examination was consistent with the adult variety and both infants had other family members with adult type polycystic kidneys. These cases emphasize some of the ambiguities that exist in the definition and classification of polycystic renal disease.     

Prenatal renal ultrasound of Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome

Large echogenic kidneys mimicking infantile polycystic kidneys were seen on prenatal ultrasound examination in a patient subsequently found to be affected by Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome.     

Congenital hepatic fibrosis with saccular dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts and infantile polycystic kidneys

A case report is presented of a child who died in the neonatal period and who had the sonographic findings of multiple, tubular, fluid-filled spaces in the liver characteristic of Caroli's disease. There was an echodense renal cortex and pyramids. Necropsy findings were consistent with Caroli's disease but the liver also showed evidence of congenital hepatic fibrosis and there was infantile type polycystic disease of the kidneys.     

Morphometric Studies of Cystic and Tubulointerstitial Kidney Diseases with Hepatic Fibrosis in Children

Portal tract fibrosis with biliary ductular enlargement or proliferation occurs in a number of genetic diseases that have cystic or tubulointerstitial renal lesions. These include some with renal cystic disease such as autosomal recessive diseases (e.g., infantile polycystic disease, juvenile polycystic disease, and Meckel's syndrome), autosomal dominant diseases (e.g., adult polycystic disease), and, rarely, tuberose sclerosis and dominant glomerulocystic disease. Portal tract fibrosis with biliary enlargement and proliferation occurs also with tubulointerstitial kidney diseases. These probably include at least three disorders in the category nephronophthisis-congenital hepatic fibrosis (one autosomal recessive disease and two either autosomal or X-linked recessive diseases) plus Jeune's syndrome (the tubulointerstitial diseases Fanconi's familial nephronophthisis and anti-tubular membrane antibody disease do not regularly cause hepatic fibrosis). Morphometric data on ratios of bile ductules to connective tissue in hepatic portal tracts show high values for infantile polycystic disease (mean, 0.616) compared to lower values for juvenile polycystic disease (mean, 0.286). That the cystic renal lesions of the first two diseases differ in type and time course is known. Similar data on ratios of glomeruli plus tubules to connective tissue in renal cortices and of tubules to connective tissue in outer medullary zones of kidneys, respectively, are as follows: for Fanconi's nephronophthisis, 0.445 and 0.197; for anti-tubular basement membrane antibody disease, 0.585 and 0.164; and for the three types of nephronophthisis-congenital hepatic fibrosis studied, 0.668 and 0.446, 1.39 and 0.921, and 1.18 and 0.12. These data support clinical impressions that the category nephrophthisis-congenital hepatic fibrosis includes more than one disease entity.     

Morphometric studies of cystic and tubulointerstitial kidney diseases with hepatic fibrosis in children

Portal tract fibrosis with biliary ductular enlargement or proliferation occurs in a number of genetic diseases that have cystic or tubulointerstitial renal lesions. These include some with renal cystic disease such as autosomal recessive diseases (e.g., infantile polycystic disease, juvenile polycystic disease, and Meckel's syndrome), autosomal dominant diseases (e.g., adult polycystic disease) and, rarely, tuberose sclerosis and dominant glomerulocystic disease. Portal tract fibrosis with biliary enlargement and proliferation occurs also with tubulointerstitial kidney diseases. These probably include at least three disorders in the category nephronophthisis-congenital hepatic fibrosis (one autosomal recessive disease and two either autosomal or X-linked recessive diseases) plus Jeune's syndrome (the tubulointerstitial diseases Fanconi's familial nephronophthisis and anti-tubular membrane antibody disease do not regularly cause hepatic fibrosis). Morphometric data on ratios of bile ductules to connective tissue in hepatic portal tracts show high values for infantile polycystic disease (mean, 0.616) compared to lower values for juvenile polycystic disease (mean, 0.286). That the cystic renal lesions of the first two diseases differ in type and time course is known. Similar data on ratios of glomeruli plus tubules to connective tissue in renal cortices and of tubules to connective tissue in outer medullary zones of kidneys, respectively, are as follows: for Fanconi's nephronophthisis, 0.445 and 0.197; for anti-tubular basement membrane antibody disease, 0.585 and 0.164; and for the three types of nephronophthisis-congenital hepatic fibrosis studied, 0.668 and 0.446, 1.39 and 0.921, and 1.18 and 0.12. These data support clinical impressions that the category nephrophthisis-congenital hepatic fibrosis includes more than one disease entity.     

Endocardial fibroelastosis and infantile polycystic disease

A child with infantile polycystic disease who developed cardiac failure from endocardial fibroelastosis is described. Endocardial fibroelastosis has been reported in adult type polycystic disease in childhood. Endocardial fibroelastosis should be suspected in a child with polycystic disease who develops unexplained cardiac failure.     

Endocardial fibroelastosis and infantile polycystic disease

Abstract A child with infantile polycystic disease who developed cardiac failure from endocardial fibroelastosis is described. Endocardial fibroelastosis has been reported in adult type polycystic disease in childhood. Endocardial fibroelastosis should be suspected in a child with polycystic disease who develops unexplained cardiac failure.     

Increased renal echogenicity in the neonate

We report data on newborn infants with increased renal echogenicity observed at the Division of Neonatal Intensive Care of Pavia during a five-year period. Review of 1600 abdominal ultrasonic evaluations revealed 103 newborn infants (56 females and 47 males, with birth weight from 560 to 3700 g and gestational age from 25 to 42 weeks) whose kidneys showed increased echogenicity. Three patients with infantile polycystic kidney disease, two with renal candidiasis, three with dysplastic kidney and two with renal vein thrombosis showed diffuse hyperechogenicity. Three patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome showed cortical hyperechogenicity. Increased medullary echogenicity was observed in 90 infants with renal disease secondary to perinatal asphyxia. In 76 of these patients the evaluation of renal echogenicity and the renal function improved, while in the remaining 14 newborns the renal alteration persisted until death.     

The Renal Lesion of Congenital Hepatic Fibrosis: Pathologic and Morphometry Analysis, with Comparison to the Renal Lesion of Infantile Polycystic Disease

The renal lesion of congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF = Blyth and Ockenden's juvenile polycystic disease of liver and kidneys) was analyzed from 6 specimens from patients aged 3 3/12 to 19 3/12 years and compared with that of 5 patients with infantile polycystic disease (IPCD) aged 6 months to 14 4/12 years. Pathologic, microdissection, injection, and morphometric studies show that the predominantly medullary cystic lesion of CHF shows different distribution in medullary, cortico-medullary, and cortical zones of kidney from the lesion of IPCD, and shows a different time course, from early life to renal insufficiency, from that of IPCD. The renal cysts in CHF affect deep or central collecting tubules, in contrast to the involvement of more peripheral orders of collecting tubules in IPCD. Papillary pore counts, performed for 1 patient, gave significantly low values, in contrast to normal values reported for IPCD. The findings support the previously published conclusion, based on differences in the hepatic lesions of the two conditions, that CHF and IPCD are difference diseases, rather than different permissible manifestations of a single disease.     

The renal lesion of congenital hepatic fibrosis: pathologic and morphometric analysis, with comparison to the renal lesion of infantile polycystic disease

The renal lesion of congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF = Blyth and Ockenden's juvenile polycystic disease of liver and kidneys) was analyzed from 6 specimens from patients aged 3 3/12 to 19 3/12 years and compared with that of 5 patients with infantile polycystic disease (IPCD) aged 6 months to 14 4/12 years. Pathologic, microdissection, injection, and morphometric studies show that the predominantly medullary cystic lesion of CHF shows different distribution in medullary, cortico-medullary, and cortical zones of kidney from the lesion of IPCD, and shows a different time course, from early life to renal insufficiency, from that of IPCD. The renal cysts in CHF affect deep or central collecting tubules, in contrast to the involvement of more peripheral orders of collecting tubules in IPCD. Papillary pore counts, performed for 1 patient, gave significantly low values, in contrast to normal values reported for IPCD. The findings support the previously published conclusion, based on differences in the hepatic lesions of the two conditions, that CHF and IPCD are difference diseases, rather than different permissible manifestations of a single disease.     

Congenital hepatic fibrosis: a very uncommon cause of pancytopenia in children

The disease presentation of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (OMIM #263200, ARPKD) is highly variable and includes polycystic kidneys, pulmonary hypoplasia, and congenital hepatic fibrosis. The authors report an unusual case of ARPKD presenting with hepatosplenomegaly and cytopenia mimicking acute leukemia.     

Dominantly-inherited polycystic kidneys in infants: Association with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Newborn male fraternal twins presented at 10 days of age with bilateral flank masses; intravenous urograms showed polycystic kidney disease. Both babies also had hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). Their father has radiographic and sonographic findings of previously unsuspected polycystic kidneys and has a history of HPS in infancy. The association of dominantly-inherited polycystic kidneys (DPK) and HPS in this family is probably due to chance. However the authors speculate that the autosomal gene for DPK may occur at one of several loci that carry the genetic liability for HPS, a disorder transmitted by polygenic inheritance.     

Polycystic disease and hepatic fibrosis in children. Renal function studies.

Renal function studies were done in five children with infantile polycystic disease (IPCD)of kidneys and liver and in four with congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF). Glomerular filtration rate was reduced in all IPCD patients and in two of four CHF patients. Urinary concentrating ability following water deprivation and vasopressin administration was impaired in all IPCD patients and in three of four CHF patients. During control period, all patients had asymptomatic metabolic acidosis with total carbon dioxide content less than or equal to 20.5 millimols/liter, and net acid excretion (NAE) was reduced in all but one. Ammonium chloride was administered to seven patients; NAE increased in all, but the increments were subnormal in four. The inability to excrete maximally concentrated urine and an adequate amount of net acid may best be explained by abnormal tubular structure or alterations in medullary architecture secondary to progressive scarring, or both.     

Glomerulocystic renal disease: ultrasound appearances

Renal and hepatic sonography were performed in 2 neonates with glomerulocystic renal disease. One neonate had ultrasound findings of normal hypoechoic medullary pyramids, enabling differentiation from infantile polycystic renal disease. Previous case reports have highlighted the similarity of renal ultrasound findings in these two conditions.     

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in infancy

We report on a 6 months old infant with suddenly developed severe arterial hypertension caused by polycystic kidneys. Examinations of the relatives revealed similar changes of the kidneys in 4 adults and 5 children. They were all diagnosed to have autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Excretory kidney function of all patients is normal; however, blood pressure was raised in the adults. We would like to stress the importance of family screening in this disease, in particular with regard to possible early diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension. The long-term prognosis of the early manifestation of the dominantly inherited cystic kidney disease is uncertain.     

Polycystic kidneys as the presenting feature of tuberous sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder characterized by seizures, mental retardation, cutaneous lesions and visceral hamartomas. We describe a 17-year-old boy in whom polycystic kidneys of the adult type were fortuitously detected on routine check-up. The patient enjoyed good health and had no evidence of renal dysfunction. Closer scrutiny of his past history and his physical and laboratory findings disclosed that he had tuberous sclerosis. Our case adds to the scant reported experience with the association of tuberous sclerosis and adult-type polycystic kidneys, and suggests that a search of additional manifestations of tuberous sclerosis is warranted in children in whom adult-type polycystic renal disease is detected.     

Sonographically detectable cysts in polycystic kidney disease in newborn and young infants

Autosomal dominant (adult type) and autosomal recessive (infantile type) polycystic kidney disease are 2 distinct forms of hereditary cystic renal disease with differing pathologic and clinical features. Glomerulocystic kidney disease is probably a separate entity, whose pathologic features may closely resemble those of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, especially in small infants. An example of each of these conditions in a small infant is presented, all of which had sonographically detectable cysts. Pathologic correlation was available in each case. While there are typical sonographic features of autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in newborn and young infants, there is no specific appearance of either condition, and glomerulocystic kidney disease can apparently resemble either one. Other investigations, particularly family studies and pathologic verification, are important in order to establish the correct diagnosis.     

Renal ultrasound in the neonatal period

Ultrasound was used for imaging the kidneys in 55 neonates. The normal kidney in a neonate is characterized by prominent medulla and fetal lobulation, the main renal vessels are frequently demonstrated. Of 29 infants with normal kidneys by ultrasound, 4 had renal disease (3 acute tubular necrosis, one partial renal artery thrombosis) and one had a pelvic kidney. In 24 infants congenital abnormalities or acquired renal disease was diagnosed. Multicystic dysplastic kidney and hydronephrosis were the most frequently observed abnormalities. Polycystic kidneys at the early stage (both adult type and infantile) appeared as enlarged hyperechoic kidneys. In 2 neonates the kidneys were normal but they had adrenal mass lesions.Based on the paper presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Detroit, Michigan, October 1980     

Papillary pore counts: a method of studying developmental aberrations in diseased juvenile kidneys

Counts of the number of pores of primary collecting tubules (ducts of Bellini) on renal papillae, and values calculated by adjusting the counts of compound papillae to those of "virtual" single papillae, were determined for kidneys of patients with end-stage renal failure. Values for chronic glomerulonephritis, Alport's disease, infantile polycystic disease, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 were not abnormal. Kidneys of patients with CUTO showed significantly low pore counts, indicating that this process in some cases is a true hypoplasia, with mean reduction of number of ducts of Bellini of 26%. FGS showed a high proportion of single papillae (80% vs. normal 60%) with high virtual pore counts, suggesting that a developmental abnormality underlies this disorder (or this outcome of nephrotic syndrome). Cystinosis showed a high proportion of compound papillae (80% vs. 40%) but low virtual pore counts, implying that this genetic disorder causes both maldevelopment and postnatal functional abnormality of the kidneys. A Jeune syndrome kidney produced very low pore counts (mean 8 vs. 16.6 for virtual pore counts), and Down's syndrome also showed low pore counts (mean VPC 15.1 vs. normal 16.6), indicating that the low kidney weights demonstrated by others with Down's syndrome reflect a true hypoplasia.     

Papillary Pore Counts: A Method of Studying Developmental Aberrations in Diseased Juvenile Kidneys

Counts of the number of pores of primary collecting tubules (ducts of Bellini) on renal papillae, and values calculated by adjusting the counts of compound papillae to those of “virtual” single papillae, were determined for kidneys of patients with end-stage renal failure. Values for chronic glomerulonephritis, Alport's disease, infantile polycystic disease, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 were not abnormal. Kidneys of patients with CUTO showed significantly low pore counts, indicating that this process in some cases is a true hypoplasia, with mean reduction of number of ducts of Bellini of 26%. FGS showed a high proportion of single papillae (80% vs. normal 60%) with high virtual pore counts, suggesting that a developmental abnormality underlies this disorder (or this outcome of nephrotic syndrome). Cystinosis showed a high proportion of compound papillae (80% vs. 40%) but low virtual pore counts, implying that this genetic disorder causes both maldevelopment and postnatal functional abnormality of the kidneys. A Jeune syndrome kidney produced very low pore counts (mean 8 vs. 16.6 for virtual pore counts), and Down's syndrome also showed low pore counts (mean VPC 15.1 vs. normal 16.6), indicating that the low kidney weights demonstrated by others with Down's syndrome reflect a true hypoplasia.