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Questions posted in the
The Urology Forum have been answered by urologists from Henry Ford Health System and by Dr. Kevin Pho.
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Subject: Re: Kidney cysts Topic Area: Pediatric UrologyPosted by A Faria on June 09, 1999 at 09:18:19During a routine 20 week old gestation ultrasound cysts in my baby's right kidney were detected. How serious and significant are they? What is to be expected about my son's future urinary tract health? I will be having a level II ultrasound done, hopefully soon, but I can't wait much longer to find out more about this problem. My physician was not of much help. I am not sure if he didn't know much about it either or just didn't feel I needed much explanation at this time once nothing can be done about it until after the baby's birth. i would appreciate any help in better understanding this condition. I am now at 22 weeks gestation and worried sick. I learned about it yesterday and haven't stopped crying since. Please help!
Posted by HFHS M.D.-BE on June 16, 1999 at 12:55:12
= Dear A Faria, I am sorry that you received upsetting news during your pregnancy; preparing for a baby's arrival is a time of happy anticipation normally, but now you must make some adjustments in your expectations. I hope my answer helps you understand the diagnosis. The finding of cysts on one side in a prenatal ultrasound most likely will be one of two things. Multi-cystic kidney is a benign condition which could stay clinically silent throughout life. No definite cause has been described. However, it is theorized that it may be associated with an obstruction of the urinary tract on the involved side. If multi-cystic kidney is bilateral, the fetus would not survive after birth. When only one kidney is involved, the affected kidney may cease functioning over time. The prognosis for patients is dependent on the status of the unaffected kidney. Humans need only one functioning kidney to live. It is crucial to perform a careful study of the unaffected side in order to determine its functional capacity. In the past, multi-cystic kidneys were routinely surgically removed; however, close surveillance of the patient over the course of time may preclude the need for this surgery. If in the long run, the patient develops high blood pressure, infection, pain, or any changes suggestive of malignancy, then a nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney) will be advised. Hydronephrosis, or swollen kidney, may also appear as a multi-cystic kidney in a prenatal ultrasound. This condition could be due to 1) an obstruction in the urinary tract or 2) reflux (urine backing up into the kidney from the bladder) or 3) may be a self-limiting process which would resolve spontaneously either before birth or after. The cause for hydronephrosis can be determined after birth by performing tests that your urologist would order. The causes (if it does not resolve on its own) are able to be corrected by surgery. In the event that the affected kidney would ultimately fail and/or need to be removed, as long as the remaining kidney has normal function, your baby will be able to enjoy a normal, healthy life. Of course, for a person with only one kidney, it is important to maintain optimum overall health to protect that kidney from any other preventable damage. It will remain an important part of that person's medical care that routine surveillance of kidney function continues through life. I hope this helps alleviate your fears and helps you prepare for your baby's birth. This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653-6568). Sincerely,
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