Multicystic Renal Dysplasia Treatment & Management
- Author: Agnieszka Swiatecka-Urban, MD, FASN; Chief Editor: Craig B Langman, MD more...
Medical Care
The role of nephrectomy in multicystic dysplasia of the kidney (MCDK) is controversial. Prior to the availability of modern ultrasonography, nephrectomy was often required to establish the diagnosis. A survey by Bloom et al revealed that 65% of pediatric urologists recommended nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney, compared with more recent data that indicate only 40% of pediatric urologists recommend nephrectomy.[17, 21]
- The traditional reasons to consider nephrectomy are to treat or prevent abdominal or flank pain, urinary tract infection (UTI), hypertension, or renal malignancy.
- If a child has significant abdominal or flank discomfort that can be attributed to the pressure effects of multicystic dysplastic kidney, the abnormal kidney should be removed.
- If a child has evidence of a UTI, consider a nephrectomy only if the UTI involves the kidney with multicystic dysplastic kidney.
- The presence of ipsilateral vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), pyelonephritis in the contralateral kidney, or recurrent episodes of cystitis are not sufficient justification for a nephrectomy in multicystic dysplastic kidney.
- If a child has hypertension, consider a nephrectomy only if the hypertension can be shown to be due to the kidney with multicystic dysplastic kidney.
- The presence of a renal malignancy is an indication for nephrectomy.
- The main controversy regarding the indications for nephrectomy is whether this procedure prevents a renal malignancy.
- Determining whether a renal malignancy is present in individuals with multicystic dysplastic kidney might be difficult. The retroperitoneal location precludes physical detection of a small mass, and the lack of urine output from the affected kidney does not allow for cytologic examination.
- The evidence for the presence of a renal malignancy must be based on diagnostic imaging changes, and because cysts can be noted in renal malignancy, differentiation might be difficult.
- Beckwith's mathematical analysis does not recommend nephrectomy based on the calculated incidence of Wilms tumor, but the calculation does not consider the incidence of renal carcinoma (see Complications).[22] Whether the risk of renal malignancy in those individuals who show involution is different compared with the risk in those who do not is unknown.
- Some concern surrounds the possibility that the intervening stroma of a kidney affected by multicystic dysplastic kidney might not undergo complete involution and might provide a focus for malignant degeneration. However, no increased risk of Wilms tumor has been demonstrated in patients with multicystic dysplastic kidney. A systemic review of 26 studies demonstrated no cases of Wilms tumor in 1041 children with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney.[23] These data are consistent with an earlier study by the American Multicystic Kidney Disease Registry that found no cases of renal neoplasia in 260 patients with multicystic dysplastic kidney.[24]
- Some authors recommend nephrectomy only in patients who do not show involution over a defined period, such as the first 5 years of life. Because the peak incidence of Wilms tumor is in infancy and declines after age 5 years, this approach seems less scientific.
- A poll of insurance companies revealed that only 15% issue life insurance if the multicystic dysplastic kidney–affected kidney is left in situ, compared with 70% if the kidney is removed.
- The role of laparoscopic nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney is controversial.
- Individuals with multicystic dysplastic kidney should undergo renal ultrasonography every 6-12 months until age 5 years or until involution is noted.
- Individuals with multicystic dysplastic kidney and contralateral VUR should receive antibiotic prophylaxis during infancy and early childhood, the ages during which the risk for scarring due to pyelonephritis is highest. Miller et al reported on 75 children with multicystic dysplastic kidney.[25] Nineteen (26%) had VUR. After a median follow-up of 4.4 years, spontaneous resolution occurred in 89% of patients with grades I and II VUR, compared with only 50% of patients with grades III and IV VUR (P = .14). The presence of VUR did not affect the sonographically measured growth of the contralateral kidney.
- Lifetime follow-up is required whether or not involution has occurred or a nephrectomy has been performed because long-term studies of patients with a single kidney report hypertension in 27-47% of patients, proteinuria in 23-47% of patients, and renal insufficiency in 3-13% of patients.
- Sporadic clinical reports have documented the development of proteinuria and focal glomerulosclerosis in patients with a single kidney.
- Follow-up should include routine and ambulatory measurement of the blood pressure, urinalysis, and periodic assessments of kidney filter function.
- The presence of associated urinary and nonurinary abnormalities might require specific follow-up.
Surgical Care
- Nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney is conventionally done as an inpatient procedure. However, outpatient nephrectomy has been reported through a 2.5-cm incision without the need for overnight hospitalization.
- The role of laparoscopic nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney is controversial.[26]
Consultations
- Consultations with a pediatric nephrologist and a pediatric urologist should be obtained.
Diet
- A diet that minimizes salt and protein to the recommended daily requirements for age is recommended for all patients with only one functional kidney.
Activity
- Lifestyle recommendations for patients with only one functional kidney include maintaining a thin body habitus and daily aerobic exercise.
Saxen L, Sariola H. Early organogenesis of the kidney. Pediatr Nephrol. Jul 1987;1(3):385-92. [Medline].
Mackie GG, Stephens FD. Duplex kidneys: a correlation of renal dysplasia with position of the ureteral orifice. J Urol. Aug 1975;114(2):274-80. [Medline].
Belk RA, Thomas DF, Mueller RF, et al. A family study and the natural history of prenatally detected unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. J Urol. Feb 2002;167(2 Pt 1):666-9. [Medline].
Buller C, Xu X, Marquis V, Schwanke R, Xu PX. Molecular effects of Eya1 domain mutations causing organ defects in BOR syndrome. Hum Mol Genet. Nov 15 2001;10(24):2775-81. [Medline].
Ruf RG, Xu PX, Silvius D, et al. SIX1 mutations cause branchio-oto-renal syndrome by disruption of EYA1-SIX1-DNA complexes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. May 25 2004;101(21):8090-5. [Medline].
Fletcher J, Hu M, Berman Y, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney and variable phenotype in a family with a novel deletion mutation of PAX2. J Am Soc Nephrol. Sep 2005;16(9):2754-61. [Medline].
Negrisolo S, Benetti E, Centi S, et al. PAX2 gene mutations in pediatric and young adult transplant recipients: kidney and urinary tract malformations without ocular anomalies. Clin Genet. Dec 2011;80(6):581-5. [Medline].
[Guideline] Cunniff C. Prenatal screening and diagnosis for pediatricians. Pediatrics. Sep 2004;114(3):889-94. [Medline].
Wacksman J, Phipps L. Report of the Multicystic Kidney Registry: preliminary findings. J Urol. Dec 1993;150(6):1870-2. [Medline].
Avni EF, Thoua Y, Lalmand B, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney: natural history from in utero diagnosis and postnatal followup. J Urol. Dec 1987;138(6):1420-4. [Medline].
Robson WL, Leung AK, Thomason MA. Multicystic dysplasia of the kidney. Clin Pediatr (Phila). Jan 1995;34(1):32-40. [Medline].
Aslam M, Watson AR,. Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney: long term outcomes. Arch Dis Child. Oct 2006;91(10):820-3. [Medline].
Kuwertz-Broeking E, Brinkmann OA, Von Lengerke HJ, et al. Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney: experience in children. BJU Int. Feb 2004;93(3):388-92. [Medline].
Merrot T, Lumenta DB, Tercier S, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney with ipsilateral abnormalities of genitourinary tract: experience in children. Urology. Mar 2006;67(3):603-7. [Medline].
Atiyeh B, Husmann D, Baum M. Contralateral renal abnormalities in multicystic-dysplastic kidney disease. J Pediatr. Jul 1992;121(1):65-7. [Medline].
de Klerk DP, Marshall FF, Jeffs RD. Multicystic dysplastic kidney. J Urol. 1977;118(2):306-8. [Medline].
Bloom DA, Brosman S. The multicystic kidney. J Urol. Aug 1978;120(2):211-5. [Medline].
Jeanty P, Romero R, Kepple D, et al. Prenatal diagnoses in unilateral empty renal fossa. J Ultrasound Med. Nov 1990;9(11):651-4. [Medline].
Ismaili K, Avni FE, Alexander M, Schulman C, Collier F, Hall M. Routine voiding cystourethrography is of no value in neonates with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. J Pediatr. Jun 2005;146(6):759-63. [Medline].
Strife JL, Souza AS, Kirks DR, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney in children: US follow-up. Radiology. Mar 1993;186(3):785-8. [Medline].
Gordon AC, Thomas DF, Arthur RJ, Irving HC. Multicystic dysplastic kidney: is nephrectomy still appropriate?. J Urol. Nov 1988;140(5 Pt 2):1231-4. [Medline].
Beckwith JB. Should asymptomatic unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys be removed because of the future risk of neoplasia?. Pediatr Nephrol. Nov 1992;6(6):511. [Medline].
Narchi H. Risk of Wilms' tumour with multicystic kidney disease: a systematic review. Arch Dis Child. Feb 2005;90(2):147-9. [Medline].
Wacksman J, Phipps L. Report of the Multicystic Kidney Registry: preliminary findings. J Urol. Dec 1993;150(6):1870-2. [Medline].
Miller DC, Rumohr JA, Dunn RL, et al. What is the fate of the refluxing contralateral kidney in children with multicysticdysplastic kidney?. J Urol. Oct 2004;172(4 Pt 2):1630-4. [Medline].
Ionouchene S, Mikhaylov N, Novozhilov V, Olgina O. Laparoscopic nephrectomy: advantages of technique in infants and newborns. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. Oct 2009;19(5):703-6. [Medline].
Hartman GE, Smolik LM, Shochat SJ. The dilemma of the multicystic dysplastic kidney. Am J Dis Child. Sep 1986;140(9):925-8. [Medline].
Reitelman C, Becker CJ, Chang CH, Perlmutter AD. Infected multicystic dysplastic kidney. Urology. Feb 1992;39(2):157-9. [Medline].
Narchi H. Risk of hypertension with multicystic kidney disease: a systematic review. Arch Dis Child. Sep 2005;90(9):921-4. [Medline].
Seeman T, John U, Blahova K, et al. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in children with unilateral multicysticdysplastic kidney. Eur J Pediatr. Feb 2001;160(2):78-83. [Medline].
Ambrose SS, Gould RA, Trulock TS, Parrott TS. Unilateral multicystic renal disease in adults. J Urol. Aug 1982;128(2):366-9. [Medline].
Angermeier KW, Kay R, Levin H. Hypertension as a complication of multicystic dysplastic kidney. Urology. Jan 1992;39(1):55-8. [Medline].
Bachmann H, Winkielman J, Olbing H. Unilateral multicystic kidney dysplasia: follow-up during the first two years of life. Contrib Nephrol. 1988;67:188-92. [Medline].
Arfeen S, Rosborough D, Luger AM, Nolph KD. Familial unilateral renal agenesis and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. Am J Kidney Dis. Jun 1993;21(6):663-8. [Medline].
Argueso LR, Ritchey ML, Boyle ET Jr, et al. Prognosis of patients with unilateral renal agenesis. Pediatr Nephrol. Sep 1992;6(5):412-6. [Medline].
Baudoin P, Provoost AP, Molenaar JC. Renal function up to 50 years after unilateral nephrectomy in childhood. Am J Kidney Dis. Jun 1993;21(6):603-11. [Medline].
Bernstein J. Is unilateral multicystic renal dysplasia sometimes heritable, and what is the risk of recurrence?. Pediatr Nephrol. Nov 1990;4(6):662. [Medline].
Bisset GS, Towbin RB. Pediatric case of the day. Focal multicystic dysplasia in lower pole renal duplication. Radiographics. May 1986;6(3):508-11. [Medline].
Caldamone AA, Rabinowitz R. Crossed fused renal ectopia, orthotopic multicystic dysplasia and vaginal agenesis. J Urol. Jul 1981;126(1):105-7. [Medline].
Colodny AH. The management of multicystic dysplastic kidney in infancy. Urology. Jun 1995;45(6):1084-5. [Medline].
de Oliveira-Filho AG, Carvalho MH, Sbragia-Neto L, et al. Wilms tumor in a prenatally diagnosed multicystic kidney. J Urol. Nov 1997;158(5):1926-7. [Medline].
Diard F, Le Dosseur P, Cadier L, et al. Multicystic dysplasia in the upper component of the complete duplex kidney. Pediatr Radiol. 1984;14(5):310-3. [Medline].
Dimmick JE, Johnson HW, Coleman GU, Carter M. Wilms tumorlet, nodular renal blastema and multicystic renal dysplasia. J Urol. Aug 1989;142(2 Pt 2):484-5; discussion 489. [Medline].
Dungan JS, Fernandez MT, Abbitt PL, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney: natural history of prenatally detected cases. Prenat Diagn. Mar 1990;10(3):175-82. [Medline].
Emmert GK Jr, Eubanks S, King LR. Improved technique of laparoscopic nephrectomy for multicystic dysplastic kidney. Urology. Sep 1994;44(3):422-4. [Medline].
Evans JA, Stranc LC. Cystic renal disease and cardiovascular anomalies. Am J Med Genet. Jul 1989;33(3):398-401. [Medline].
Felson B, Cussen LJ. The hydronephrotic type of unilateral congenital multicystic disease of the kidney. Semin Roentgenol. Apr 1975;10(2):113-23. [Medline].
Fischbach M, Lutz JD, Tongio J, et al. [Williams and Beuren's syndrome with hypertension and associated renal abnormalities (author's transl)]. Sem Hop. Apr 8-15 1979;55(13-14):689-93. [Medline].
Flack CE, Bellinger MF. The multicystic dysplastic kidney and contralateral vesicoureteral reflux: protection of the solitary kidney. J Urol. Dec 1993;150(6):1873-4. [Medline].
Gipson TG, Anderson EE, Bradford WD. Multicystic renal dysplasia. Pathologic and clinical observations in 22 cases. Clin Pediatr (Phila). Oct 1976;15(10):896-900. [Medline].
Glassberg KI, Stephens FD, Lebowitz RL, et al. Renal dysgenesis and cystic disease of the kidney: a report of the Committee on Terminology, Nomenclature and Classification, Section on Urology, American Academy of Pediatrics. J Urol. Oct 1987;138(4 Pt 2):1085-92. [Medline].
Greene LF, Feinzaig W, Dahlin DC. Multicystic dysplasia of the kidney: with special reference to the contralateral kidney. J Urol. Apr 1971;105(4):482-7. [Medline].
Greenfield SP, Rutigliano E, Steinhardt G, Elder JS. Genitourinary tract malformations and maternal cocaine abuse. Urology. May 1991;37(5):455-9. [Medline].
Halpern NA, Krakoff LR, Haimov M, et al. Renovascular hypertension associated with a pelvic kidney and multicystic dysplasia. J Urol. Oct 1982;128(4):794-7. [Medline].
Hartshorne N, Shepard T, Barr M Jr. Compensatory renal growth in human fetuses with unilateral renal agenesis. Teratology. Jul 1991;44(1):7-10. [Medline].
Homsy YL, Anderson JH, Oudjhane K, Russo P. Wilms tumor and multicystic dysplastic kidney disease. J Urol. Dec 1997;158(6):2256-9; discussion 2259-60. [Medline].
Husmann DA. Renal dysplasia: the risks and consequences of leaving dysplastic tissue in situ. Urology. Oct 1998;52(4):533-6. [Medline].
Jankauskiene A, Dodat H, Deiber M, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney associated with Waardenburg syndrome type 1. Pediatr Nephrol. Dec 1997;11(6):744-5. [Medline].
Javadpour N, Chelouhy E, Moncada L, et al. Hypertension in a child caused by a multicystic kidney. J Urol. Dec 1970;104(6):918-21. [Medline].
John U, Rudnik-Schoneborn S, Zerres K, Misselwitz J. Kidney growth and renal function in unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney disease. Pediatr Nephrol. Sep 1998;12(7):567-71. [Medline].
Kessler OJ, Ziv N, Livne PM, Merlob P. Involution rate of multicystic renal dysplasia. Pediatrics. Dec 1998;102(6):E73. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Khoury MJ, Cordero JF, Greenberg F, et al. A population study of the VACTERL association: evidence for its etiologic heterogeneity. Pediatrics. May 1983;71(5):815-20. [Medline].
Kiprov DD, Colvin RB, McCluskey RT. Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis and proteinuria associated with unilateral renal agenesis. Lab Invest. Mar 1982;46(3):275-81. [Medline].
Kleiner B, Filly RA, Mack L, Callen PW. Multicystic dysplastic kidney: observations of contralateral disease in the fetal population. Radiology. Oct 1986;161(1):27-9. [Medline].
Kuwertz-Broeking E, Brinkmann OA, Von Lengerke HJ, et al. Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney: experience in children. BJU Int. Feb 2004;93(3):388-92. [Medline].
Kyaw MM, Newman H. Adult multicystic renal disease. Br J Radiol. Nov 1971;44(527):881-2. [Medline].
Lennert T, Tetzner M, Er M, et al. Multicystic renal dysplasia: nephrectomy versus conservative treatment. Contrib Nephrol. 1988;67:183-7. [Medline].
LLoyd DJ, McKenzie J, Kaye HH, Russell G. Vater syndrome: hypothesis and report of two further cases. Teratology. Feb 1977;15(1):43-6. [Medline].
Mandell J, Paltiel HJ, Peters CA, Benacerraf BR. Prenatal findings associated with a unilateral nonfunctioning or absent kidney. J Urol. Jul 1994;152(1):176-8. [Medline].
Melnick M, Myrianthopoulos NC, Paul NW. External ear malformations: epidemiology, genetics, and natural history. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser. 1979;DA - 19800417(9):i-ix, 1-140. [Medline].
Mesrobian HG, Rushton HG, Bulas D. Unilateral renal agenesis may result from in utero regression of multicystic renal dysplasia. J Urol. Aug 1993;150(2 Pt 2):793-4. [Medline].
Murugasu B, Cole BR, Hawkins EP, et al. Familial renal adysplasia. Am J Kidney Dis. Oct 1991;18(4):490-4. [Medline].
Nussbaum AR, Hartman DS, Whitley N, et al. Multicystic dysplasia and crossed renal ectopia. AJR Am J Roentgenol. Aug 1987;149(2):407-10. [Medline].
Orejas G, Malaga S, Santos F, et al. Multicystic dysplastic kidney: absence of complications in patients treated conservatively. Child Nephrol Urol. 1992;12(1):35-9. [Medline].
Rickwood AM, Anderson PA, Williams MP. Multicystic renal dysplasia detected by prenatal ultrasonography. Natural history and results of conservative management. Br J Urol. May 1992;69(5):538-40. [Medline].
Robson WL, Rogers RC, Leung AK. Renal agenesis, multicystic dysplasia, and uretero-pelvic junction obstruction--a common pathogenesis?. Am J Med Genet. Nov 15 1994;53(3):302. [Medline].
Robson WL, Thomason MA, Minette LJ. Cystic dysplasia of the testis associated with multicystic dysplasia of the kidney. Urology. Mar 1998;51(3):477-9. [Medline].
Sanders RC, Hartman DS. The sonographic distinction between neonatal multicystic kidney and hydronephrosis. Radiology. Jun 1984;151(3):621-5. [Medline].
Saxton HM, Golding SJ, Chantler C, Haycock GD. Diagnostic puncture in renal cystic dysplasia (multicystic kidney). Evidence on the aetiology of the cysts. Br J Radiol. Jul 1981;54(643):555-61. [Medline].
Silverstein DM, Zacharowicz L, Edelman M, et al. Joubert syndrome associated with multicystic kidney disease and hepatic fibrosis. Pediatr Nephrol. Dec 1997;11(6):746-9. [Medline].
Squiers EC, Morden RS, Bernstein J. Renal multicystic dysplasia: an occasional manifestation of the hereditary renal adysplasia syndrome. Am J Med Genet Suppl. 1987;3:279-84. [Medline].
Srivastava T, Garola RE, Hellerstein S. Autosomal dominant inheritance of multicystic dysplastic kidney. Pediatr Nephrol. Aug 1999;13(6):481-3. [Medline].
Stuck KJ, Koff SA, Silver TM. Ultrasonic features of multicystic dysplastic kidney: expanded diagnostic criteria. Radiology. Apr 1982;143(1):217-21. [Medline].
Susskind MR, Kim KS, King LR. Hypertension and multicystic kidney. Urology. Dec 1989;34(6):362-6. [Medline].
Thomas DF, Fitzpatrick MM. Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. Arch Dis Child. Oct 1997;77(4):368-9. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Toussi T, Halal F, Lesage R, et al. Brief clinical report: renal hypodysplasia and unilateral ovarian agenesis in the penta-X syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 1980;6(2):153-62. [Medline].
Triest JA, Bukowski TP. Multicystic dysplastic kidney as cause of gastric outlet obstruction and respiratory compromise. J Urol. Jun 1999;161(6):1918-9. [Medline].
Vinocur L, Slovis TL, Perlmutter AD, et al. Follow-up studies of multicystic dysplastic kidneys. Radiology. May 1988;167(2):311-5. [Medline].
Walker D, Fennell R, Garin E, Richard G. Spectrum of multicystic renal dysplasia: diagnosis and management. Urology. May 1978;11(5):433-6. [Medline].
Webb NJ, Lewis MA, Bruce J, et al. Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney: the case for nephrectomy. Arch Dis Child. Jan 1997;76(1):31-4. [Medline]. [Full Text].
Weinstein T, Zevin D, Gafter U, et al. Proteinuria and chronic renal failure associated with unilateral renal agenesis. Isr J Med Sci. Nov 1985;21(11):919-21. [Medline].
Widdershoven J, Monnens L, Assmann K, Cremers C. Renal disorders in the branchio-oto-renal syndrome. Helv Paediatr Acta. Dec 1983;38(5-6):513-22. [Medline].
Wikstad I, Celsi G, Larsson L, et al. Kidney function in adults born with unilateral renal agenesis or nephrectomized in childhood. Pediatr Nephrol. Apr 1988;2(2):177-82. [Medline].
Williams DI. Multicystic and dysplastic kidneys. Trans Am Assoc Genitourin Surg. 1964;56:88-92. [Medline].

