What are the Complications of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease is a kind of hereditary diseases whose complications are worrying people. It is characterized by the presence of multiple or numerous fluid-filled cysts in both kidneys. With the development of science and technology, people know much deeper about this disease and the prognosis has been significantly improved. However, the complications often occur in the course of treatment. Then, what indeed are those complications?

1. Multiple cysts in other organs: About half of middle-aged people with PKD develop Polycystic Liver, and the rate increase to 70% if they are over 60 years old. Generally, Polycystic Liver develops slowly which is later than PKD for about 10 years. The cysts are formed by the dilated labyrinth bile ducts.
 Furthermore, concurrent cysts can also appear on pancreas and ovary and the occurrence of diverticulum of the colon is very high.

2. Kidney stone: Usually, the backache caused by PKD is dull pain, which is a sign that kidney stone develops accompanied with gross hematuria.

3. The complications of hypertension or repeated urinary tract infection should also be paid attention to. Most patients with PKD will have high blood pressure, which will accelerate the growth rate of the cysts, so the patients should have it under control.

4. Hemangioma of the circle of willis: under normal circumstances, we should be aware that the concurrence rate of this hemangioma is 10% to 40% and the cerebral hemorrhage will be further detected because of the rupture of the hemangioma. What’s more, thoracic aortic aneurysm and valvular heart disease (such as valve closure, incomplete and prolapse) are also very common. IPKD can usually be accompanied with portal hypertension and dysplasia of alveolar.

5. Pyelonephritis: Although the cause is unknown, pyelonephritis is also the common complication of PKD besides the above. Symptoms may not occur, and in the urine only a few or even none pus cells can be found. It can be diagnosed through smear dyeing or quantitative culture.

6. Cyst infection: Generally, dull pain and pressing pain with fever will occur if the cyst is infected. It is not easy to distinguish whether it is disease infection or pyelonephritis. However, gallium scanning photography can be very helpful to make a diagnosis.

7. Hematuresis: hematuresis can occur but very few cases can have active and persistent gross hematuria which can even be life-theatening.


Those above are introductions about complications of PKD, and I hope everyone can handle them in time when they are found. If you have any other problem, you can send us email directly to kidney-treatment@hotmail.com or consult our online experts.