Polycystic Kidney Disease

Preliminary Diagnosis: Polycystic Kidney Disease

I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis?

Gray scale and Color Doppler sonographic evaluation of the kidneys.

II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosing polycystic kidney disease.

Advantages

• Highly portable and a relatively inexpensive imaging modality.

• Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation.

• Details the vascularity of renal cystic lesions with great sensitivity and specificity.

• May help guide treatment.

Disadvantages

• Less adept in detailing any abnormally enhancing soft tissue component.

• Less adept in detailing and characterizing the surrounding anatomical structures.

III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?

No specific contraindications exist.

IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?

• CT of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

• MR of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosing polycystic kidney disease.

CT of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

Advantages

• Highly sensitive and specific in detecting and characterizing renal cystic lesions.

• Offers exquisite detail of any enhancing soft tissue components.

• May help guide treatment and therapy.

Disadvantages

• Exposes patients to ionizing radiation.

• Less portable.

MR of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

Advantages

• Highly specific in characterizing the fluid within the renal cysts.

• Does not expose patients to ionizing radiation.

Disadvantages

• Expensive.

• Time consuming.

• May be subject to motion artifact and susceptibility weighted artifact, degrading image quality.

• Less adept in guiding therapy and treatment.

VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?

CT of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

May be contraindicated in pregnant patients.

MR of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast

May be contraindicated in patients with non MR compatible hardware.