Multicystosis of the kidney is a rather rare abnormality in the development of an organ. To date, doctors determine this pathology during the period of intrauterine development of the child during the next screening study of the state of the child’s organs at the 12th, 20th and 32nd weeks of gestation. In a certain situation, multicystosis of the kidney is able to go into such a severe form that it becomes incompatible with the life of the child. This should include bilateral organ damage. Such a violation is an absolute indication for medical termination of pregnancy.
So, further we will talk about why a multicystic kidney develops in the fetus, what clinical picture is observed, how the disease is detected, how these patients are treated, and we will also focus on the recommendations of doctors on this issue.
Essence of the disease
In practice, multicystosis of the kidney is not detected too often. As shown by the statistics, such an anomaly accounts for only 1% of possible malformations of the paired organ. The baby's kidneys begin to form at the 3rd month of pregnancy. Under the influence of certain negative factors, a certain malfunction occurs in this process, as a result of which departments that emit urine, as well as excretory pathways, are unable to unite. Against the background of the fact that polycystic kidney disease has developed, it may happen that the renal pelvis is underdeveloped, and the ureter of the child remains without clearance.
Due to the development of the pathological process, the paired organ, in fact, is a cyst or bag-shaped cavity with different diameters, filled with fluid and walls from connective tissues. If it so happens that the body still excreted urine that did not go outside, then these cysts are filled with urine. A disease such as multicystosis of the kidney is discussed very actively on the forums.
Danger of pathology
As possible complications of the indicated disease, doctors distinguish:
- Pressure on nearby organs and nerve endings is increased due to organ damage, as well as blood vessel pressure.
- The development of peritonitis in the event that a pathological neoplasm ruptures and its contents spills into the abdominal cavity.
- An untreatable hypertensive condition.
- The risk of degeneration of the cyst into a malignant tumor.
The course of the pathological process
If there are no complications, then multicystosis of the kidneys in children is able to proceed latently and not manifest in any way. And in case the ultrasound of the fetus was not performed on time and the urinary system was not visible, the pathology can be detected completely by accident.
During the first years of life, during one of the planned examinations, the doctor can pay attention to the tuberous formation of dense consistency during palpation of the abdominal cavity. If under the influence of an ailment the kidney has increased in size slightly, then palpation will not give any results.
Until the child is 1 year old and the organ continues to grow, signs such as pain in the abdomen or lumbar region, constipation, loss of consciousness in case of compression of the inferior vena cava may occur. Such symptoms in no way characterize multicystosis of the right kidney or the left, and therefore there is not always a suspicion about the development of such a disease.
In adulthood, in patients with a study of the abdominal organs, the absence or reduction in the size of one of the organ lobes can be determined. At that stage, while the kidney continues to grow, there is a likelihood of developing complications in which surgical intervention is necessary. In this case, this may include:
- On the compression of vital organs located in the abdominal cavity or in the retroperitoneal space.
- About the process of rotting cysts, which leads to inflammation. Cysts can rupture, as a result of which their contents will spill into the abdominal cavity and peritonitis will develop.
- Quite rarely, but it is still possible the manifestation of such a complication as a hypertensive state, which is not amenable to drug exposure.
Pathology development factors
Until today, doctors have not been able to determine the exact reason why multicystosis of the kidney in a newborn develops. As experience shows, such a disease is more characteristic of male babies.
The vast majority of specialists are inclined to believe that multicystosis of the left kidney or its right lobe develops as a result of genetic failures that occurred at the stage of organ formation. It is worth noting that, in practice, it is most often diagnosed with left-sided organ damage.
Diagnostic Methods
A key way to diagnose an ailment is with an ultrasound of the organ. Through such a study, the doctor assesses the size of the cysts, their number, localization and effect on nearby organs.
After ultrasound, the patient is sent to the laboratory for urine delivery, which will allow to assess the content of leukocytes and proteins in the test biomaterial.
A complete blood count will show a high creatinine content and low protein concentration.
In some cases, when the doctor is doubted about the correctness of the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed excretory contrast urography and angiography.
Interpretation of ultrasound results
Specialists notice the corresponding changes in the kidneys during the planned study in the second trimester of pregnancy. At this stage, specialists notice the formation of multiple cysts filled with a certain secret. Quite often, such an anomaly in development leads to a severe course of pregnancy. After the baby is born, his examination is carried out to confirm the diagnosis.
If we are talking about multicystosis of a kidney in an adult, then during the study, calcifications are detected in such patients. Quite often, the indicated pathology is confused with a diagnosis such as a spongy kidney.
Therapy of ailment
The treatment regimen depends on how complex each case is. If the number of cysts is small, then a puncture is performed, which allows pumping out their contents. In a situation where the disease continues to progress, the patient is given a nephrectomy or removal of the affected organ.
A similar operation is performed under general anesthesia and can be carried out in the following ways:
- laparoscopic excision of the organ;
- open operation.
In the first case, several puncture punctures are made on the patient’s body, which are necessary to enter the appropriate equipment. During the operation, not only the affected organ is excised, but also its leg. This method of surgical intervention is considered technically more complex.
In the second method of surgical intervention, a large incision is made on the patient’s body. After the affected kidney is removed, sutures are applied. In the postoperative period, the patient takes strong painkillers. Along with this, within a month after the procedure, the patient should wear a special bandage and limit physical activity.
Hypertension Diet
As noted above, patients with such an ailment quite often suffer from high blood pressure. In this situation, the essence of dietary nutrition will be to minimize salt intake. Along with these patients should stop smoking and alcohol consumption, which lead to excitement of the nervous system and intoxication of the body.
However, do not forget that the body constantly requires as much fluid as possible. In this regard, it is recommended that you consume at least 1.5 liters of water per day.
Patients with a similar pathology are advised to limit their protein intake. Experts advise to consume this substance in the amount of 0.8-1.0 g per 1 kg of weight.
Using folk recipes
You should always remember that traditional medicine cannot completely replace traditional therapy. However, folk recipes can be an excellent adjuvant to maintain a good state of health.
To combat hypertension, a tincture of peonies, motherwort, hawthorn, peppermint, calendula and wormwood will help. The resulting composition should be consumed daily at 8 drops a few minutes before a meal.
Disease prognosis
For the most part, with a similar lesion of the designated organ, the prognosis for the patient is favorable, but only in the case when one kidney is damaged and a compensatory increase in the activity of another occurs. According to experts, paired organs have the ability to take on a double burden. In this situation, the treatment will be to reduce the burden on the second organ. Disability can be assigned to such patients when the second organ is affected by the pathological process.
In practice, multicystosis of the kidney, discovered at birth, experts observe until the child is 5 years old. By this age, the general trend of the course of the disease is already being determined. In the case of a moderate course and lack of active growth of the cysts, the patient remains under the supervision of specialists for life and must undergo a regular scheduled examination.
Such a ratio as multicystosis of the kidney and life expectancy has not been fully studied to this day. There is no unequivocal answer to the question of life expectancy with a similar pathology. It all depends on the influence of related factors and the presence of complications.
Conclusion and Conclusions
In order to avoid the risk of abnormal formation and development of organs in a child, experts recommend planning a pregnancy. This will greatly facilitate its course and make it possible to give birth to an absolutely healthy baby. And this is the only way to protect the child from the need for lifelong treatment.