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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffSeveral diagnostic methods are available to detect the size and number of kidney cysts as well as to evaluate the amount of healthy kidney tissue.
- Ultrasound examination. In this common diagnostic method, a wand-like device called a transducer is placed on your body. It emits inaudible sound waves that are reflected back to the transducer — like sonar. A computer translates the reflected sound waves into images of your kidneys.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan. As you lie on a movable table, you're guided into a big doughnut-shaped device that projects very thin X-ray beams through your body. Your doctor is able to see cross-sectional images of your kidneys.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. As you lie inside a large cylinder, magnetic fields and radio waves generate cross-sectional views of your kidneys.
References
- Polycystic kidney disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pdf/PKD.pdf/. Accessed May 19, 2011.
- Polycystic kidney disease. Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/polycystic.pdf . Accessed May 19, 2011.
- Gaurel L. Renal cystic disease. Ultrasound Clinics. 2010;5:15.
- Grantham JJ. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;359:1477.
- Salant DJ, et al. Polycystic kidney disease and other inherited tubular disorders. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2874530. Accessed May 19, 2011.
- Chanda R, et al. Hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease. Current Hypertension Reports. 2009;11:329.
- Your guide to lowering high blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2011.
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