Urogenital ImagingGlomerulocystic disease
(also known as microcystic or pluricystic disorder of the kidney) encompasses numerous syndromes of developmental or genetic origin, which are characterized by multiple fluid-filled
renal cysts of varying size. Autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease are examples (see
polycystic kidney disease autosomal dominant ADPKD , and
polycystic kidney disease autosomal recessive ARPKD .
On excretory urography, bilateral enlarged kidneys with smooth contours are seen in the nephrogram phase. On CT and MRI, nonspecific renal enlargement is present, and cysts of various sizes are readily visible. The kidneys are diffusely echogenic on sonography. While glomerulocystic disease of the kidney is primarily a pathologic and clinical diagnosis, CT and ultrasound are the most commonly used modalities in its imaging evaluation and follow-up.
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