Acquired cystic kidney disease

Patients with end-stage kidney disease, particularly those treated with dialysis, develop proliferative processes in their native kidneys that result in the formation of multiple acquired renal cysts, renal adenomas, and carcinomas. Cyst hemorrhage and perinephric hemorrhage are important complications of acquired cystic disease. Patients may succumb from metastatic renal cell carcinoma. CT scans, ultrasound, and MR imaging may all be used for evaluating acquired cystic kidney disease and its complications. Guidelines for monitoring the native kidneys of dialysis patients and of renal transplant recipients for the development of carcinoma are provided.