polycystic renal disease

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 2, 2026

Quick Summary

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a hereditary condition where cysts gradually enlarge in both kidneys, leading to reduced function or failure. These cysts are sacs that can contain liquid or semisolid material.12

There are different types of renal cysts. Solitary cysts are liquid-filled and can sometimes contain blood, varying in size and potentially causing backaches. Medullary cystic diseases involve cysts forming in the kidney's small collecting tubules. While often asymptomatic initially, they can lead to anemia, low salt levels, and high nitrogenous substances in the blood. The kidneys may shrink and develop scar tissue.2

Imaging techniques like ultrasound are effective in detecting polycystic kidneys.3

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

renal system disease
Other tumours
The form of polycystic (multiple-cyst) renal disease that allows survival into adult life is a familial condition, in which several members of the family have little trouble until middle life but then are progressively affected by kidney malfunction. Episodes of blood in the urine and urinary infection are…
Read More
The form of polycystic (multiple-cyst) renal disease that allows survival into adult life is a familial condition, in which several members of the family have little trouble until middle life but then are progressively affected by kidney malfunction. Episodes of blood in the urine and urinary infection are…
Read More

renal cyst
Polycystic disease is a congenital defect in which one or both of the kidneys have numerous large cysts. In medullary cystic diseases, also thought to be congenital in origin, cysts form in the small collecting tubules that transport urine from the nephrons, the urine-producing units…
Read More
Polycystic disease is a congenital defect in which one or both of the kidneys have numerous large cysts. In medullary cystic diseases, also thought to be congenital in origin, cysts form in the small collecting tubules that transport urine from the nephrons, the urine-producing units…
Read More