Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder in which clusters of fluid-filled cysts develop primarily within the kidneys, gradually enlarging them and replacing normal tissue. The most common form, autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), typically manifests in adulthood and can eventually lead to kidney failure. Autosomal recessive PKD is rarer and presents in infancy. On ultrasound, PKD is characterized by bilaterally enlarged kidneys containing multiple cysts of varying sizes, which appear as round, anechoic structures scattered throughout the renal parenchyma. In advanced cases, the kidneys can become massively enlarged with little identifiable normal tissue. Cysts may also develop in the liver and other organs. Ultrasound is the primary screening and monitoring tool for PKD, and diagnostic criteria are based on the number and distribution of cysts relative to the patient’s age.
Sonography Term