[Are simple renal cysts another manifestation of prelithiasis in infancy?]. / ¿Los quistes renales simples son otra forma de manifestación de prelitiasis en la infancia?

Simple renal cysts are uncommon lesions in paediatric patients. In the absence of hypokalaemia or an increase in the production of NH+, the cause of simple renal cysts is unknown. Hepler, in 1930, suggested that they may be caused by a tubular obstruction. We prospectively studied the presence of hypercalciuria or hypocitraturia as well as the family history of urolithiasis in a group of children diagnosed sonographically with simple renal cysts. The average age of the 22 patients (12M, 10F) was 6.04 +/- 2.9 years at the time of diagnosis. The ultrasound examination had been requested due to urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, haematuria or other disorders. The cysts were slightly more frequent on the left side (54.5%). All were located in the upper kidney pole. 14 patients were found to have hypercalciuria and/or hypocitraturia (hypercalciuria n = 11, 50%). Thirteen families had history of renal stones. The metabolic abnormalities associated with calculi in children and/or family history of stones were present in 19 families (86.3%). Our hypothesis is that both entities, renal cysts, and genetic predisposition to kidney stones, are related.

¿Los quistes renales simples son otra forma de manifestación de prelitiasis en la infancia? / Are simple renal cysts another manifestation of prelithiasis in infancy?

Los quistes renales simples son lesiones poco frecuentes en pacientes pediátricos. En ausencia de hipopotasemia o de un incremento en la producción de NH4+, se desconoce el origen de los mismos. Hepler, en 1930, propuso que su causa podría ser una obstrucción tubular. Hemos estudiado de forma prospectiva la presencia de hipercalciuria o de hipocitraturia, así como los antecedentes familiares de litiasis en un grupo de niños diagnosticados ecográficamente de quistes renales simples. Al diagnóstico, la edad media de los 22 pacientes (12 varones y10 mujeres) fue de 6,04 ± 2,9 años. El estudio ecográfico se había solicitado por infección de vías urinarias, dolor abdominal, hematuria u otros. Los quistes fueron ligeramente más frecuentes en el lado izquierdo (54,5%). Todos estaban ubicados en el polo renal superior. En 14 pacientes (63,6%) se demostró que eran portadores de hipercalciuria o hipocitraturia (hipercalciuria n = 11, 50%). En 13 familias existían antecedentes de litiasis renal. En conjunto, las anomalías metabólicas estudiadas causantes de cálculos en los niños o los antecedentes familiares de litiasis estaban presentes en 19 familias (86,3%).Nuestra hipótesis es que ambas entidades, quistes renales y predisposición genética a padecer cálculos renales, están relacionadas (AU)

Simple renal cysts are uncommon lesions in paediatric patients. In the absence of hypokalaemia or an increase in the production of NH+, the cause of simple renal cysts is unknown. Hepler, in 1930, suggested that they may becaused by a tubular obstruction. We prospectively studied the presence of hypercalciuria or hypocitraturia as well as the family history of urolithiasis in a group of children diagnosed sonographically with simple renal cysts. The average age of the22 patients (12M, 10F) was 6.04 ± 2.9 years at the time of diagnosis. The ultrasound examination had been requested due to urinary tract infection, abdominal pain, haematuria or other disorders. The cysts were slightly more frequent on the left side(54.5%). All were located in the upper kidney pole. 14 patients were found to have hypercalciuria and/or hypocitraturia (hypercalciuria n = 11, 50%). Thirteen families had history of renal stones. The metabolic abnormalities associated with calculiin children and/or family history of stones were present in 19families (86.3%). Our hypothesis is that both entities, renal cysts, and genetic predisposition to kidney stones, are related (AU)