Cystic disease of the renal pyramids (‘Sponge Kidney’)

Abstract

Summary

• 1.

  A brief description is given of cystic disease of the renal pyramids (‘sponge kidney’).

• 2.

  A short series of patients (all of whom were females) is recorded.

• 3.

  The condition may be demonstrated by excretion urography, but the retrograde pyelogram is usually normal.

• 4.

  Frequently small calculi develop in the cysts.

• 5.

  The symptoms are mild and are usually suggestive of a mild urinary infection.

• 6.

  The prognosis is excellent.

• 7.

  Cystic disease of the pyramids must be distinguished from the chronic form of renal papillary necrosis.