Definition

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a kidney disorder passed down through families. In this disease, many cysts form in the kidneys, causing them to become enlarged.

Alternative Names

Cysts - kidneys; Kidney - polycystic; Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; ADPKD

Causes

PKD is passed down through families (inherited). The two inherited forms of PKD are autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive.

People with PKD have many clusters of cysts in the kidneys. What exactly triggers the cysts to form is unknown. 

PKD is associated with the following conditions:

• Aortic aneurysms
• Brain aneurysms
• Cysts in the liver, pancreas, and testes
• Diverticula of the colon

As many as half of people with PKD have cysts in the liver.

Symptoms

Symptoms of PKD may include any of the following:

• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Blood in the urine
• Excessive urination at night (nocturia)
• Flank pain on one or both sides
• Drowsiness
• Joint pain
• Nail abnormalities

Exams and Tests

An examination may show:

• Abdominal tenderness over the liver
• Enlarged kidneys
• Enlarged liver
• Heart murmurs or other signs of aortic insufficiency or mitral insufficiency
• High blood pressure
• Growths in the abdomen

Tests that may be done include:

• Cerebral angiography
• Complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia
• Liver tests (blood)
• Urinalysis

People with a personal or family history of PKD who have headaches should be tested to determine if cerebral aneurysms are the cause.

PKD and cysts on the liver or other organs may be found using the following tests:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal MRI scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

If several members of your family have PKD, genetic tests can be done to determine whether you carry the PKD gene.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment may include:

• Blood pressure medicines
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Low-salt diet

Any urinary tract infection should be treated quickly with antibiotics.

Cysts that are painful, infected, bleeding, or causing a blockage may need to be drained. There are usually too many cysts to make it practical to remove each cyst.

Surgery to remove one or both kidneys may be needed. Treatments for end-stage kidney disease may include dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Support Groups

More information and support for people with polycystic kidney disease and their families can be found at a kidney disease support group.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The disease gets worse slowly. Eventually, it may lead to end-stage kidney failure. It is also associated with liver disease, including infection of liver cysts.

Treatment may relieve symptoms for many years.

People with PKD who don't have other diseases may be good candidates for a kidney transplant.

Possible Complications

Health problems that may result from PKD include:

• Anemia
• Bleeding or rupture of cysts
• Long-term (chronic) kidney disease
• End-stage kidney disease
• High blood pressure
• Infection of liver cysts
• Kidney stones
• Liver failure (mild to severe)
• Repeated urinary tract infections

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of PKD
• You have a family history of PKD or related disorders and you are planning to have children (you may want to have genetic counseling)

Prevention

Currently, no treatment can prevent the cysts from forming or enlarging.

References

Arnaout MA. Cystic kidney diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 112.

Torres VE, Harris PC. Cystic diseases of the kidney. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 45.