Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney with progressive infundibular stenosis in the contralateral kidney: experience at 1 center and review of literature

Abstract

Purpose: We analyzed the association between unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney and subsequent contralateral infundibular stenosis, which can result in progressive calyceal dilatation, and has been linked to global hyperfiltration injury and renal impairment.

Materials and methods: During the last 10 years 200 children presented with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. Of these children 5 subsequently exhibited contralateral infundibular stenosis. We reviewed the published data on multicystic dysplastic kidney as well as infundibular stenosis to examine this association further.

Results: Three patients underwent open surgical exploration since rapid progression with associated parenchymal thinning was detected. Literature review failed to identify any discussion of infundibular stenosis in studies focusing on long-term followup of children with a unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. Several case reports and case series discuss this condition in association with other collecting system anomalies. However, these anomalies are hypothesized to be part of a disease spectrum resulting from aberrant formation of the collecting system. Bilateral involvement has been reported in fewer than 10 cases.

Conclusions: Our cases represent a part of the spectrum of pyelocalyceal dysgenesis that can have bilateral involvement of varying degrees. Of particular concern was the delayed presentation in some of our patients and the progressive nature of the lesions. Although exceedingly rare, we wish to highlight the association of multicystic dysplastic kidney and progressive infundibular stenosis of the contralateral kidney and renal impairment.