genitourinary disorders
Medullary Sponge Kidney
Introduction
Medullary sponge kidney is formation of diffuse, bilateral medullary cysts caused by abnormalities in pericalyceal terminal collecting ducts. (See also Overview of Cystic Kidney Disease .) The cause of medullary sponge kidney is unknown, but genetic transmission occurs in<5% of cases. Most patients are asymptomatic, and the disorder usually remains undiagnosed. It predisposes to calculus formation (often with increased urinary calcium excretion) and Introduction to Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) (UTI), so the most common presenting symptoms are the following: Renal colic Isolated Hematuria None Dysuria None Medullary sponge kidney is benign, and long-term prognosis is excellent. Obstruction by Urinary Calculi may transiently reduce glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increase serum creatinine. 