Medullary sponge kidneys

Case contributed by Fazel Rahman Faizi
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

A child presenting with GI symptoms

Patient Data

Age: 8 years
Gender: Male
ultrasound

The kidneys reveal echogenic renal medullary pyramids. No convincing acoustic shadowing is noted to suggest calculi. 

There are three rounded cysts in the medullary region of the right kidney- one in the upper pole and two in the lower pole- with internal debris.

Another medullary cyst in the upper pole of the left kidney.

The right renal pelvis is prominent, however, no lithiasis was noted in the pelvicalyceal system as well as the right ureter.

Case Discussion

The features are in keeping with medullary sponge kidneys with medullary nephrocalcinosis. 

In this case, the patient was referred to the hospital with gastrointestinal symptoms. These findings were incidental and irrelevant to the patient's complaint.

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