Medical expert of the article
New publications
Medullary spongy kidney
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
[Causes of the medullary spongy kidney
Medullary spongy kidney is referred to as congenital diseases. The anomaly is formed at relatively early stages of ontogenesis, since during histological examination the sites of embryonic renal tissue are found.
The importance of hereditary factors in the development of medullary spongy kidney is not established. The cases of combining the medullary spongy kidney with anomalies in the development of other organs, including hereditary syndromes (Ehlers-Danlos, Marfan) and with congenital heart disease and Caroli's disease are described.
Symptoms of the medullary spongy kidney
Symptoms of medullary spongy kidney are absent. Frequent complications of the medullary spongy kidney are nephrolithiasis and urinary tract infections.
Diagnostics of the medullary spongy kidney
Laboratory diagnosis of medullary spongy kidney
Most patients with a medullary spongy kidney have a microhematuria; episodes of macrohematuria are possible.
Instrumental diagnosis of medullary spongy kidney
The method of choice for diagnosis of medullary spongy kidneys is intravenous pyelography. In contrast, the dilated sections of the collecting tubes acquire a characteristic appearance of a "cluster of grapes" or a "bouquet of flowers".
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treatment of the medullary spongy kidney
Treatment of medullary spongy kidney is not developed. With irreversible deterioration of renal function, methods of renal replacement therapy are used.
Forecast
The prognosis of patients with a medullary spongy kidney depends on the frequency of episodes of macrohematuria, urinary tract infections and the severity of nephrolithiasis. With adequate prevention and treatment of nephrolithiasis and infections of the urinary tract, the medullary spongy kidney is a relatively benign condition.
