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Medullary sponge kidney

Case contributed by Laughlin Dawes
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Well known to the local renal unit, this patient was admitted with left loin pain. Her serum creatinine was elevated.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

ct

Non-contrast CT demonstrating clusters of calcification around the corticomedullary junction of both kidneys. Pyramidal calcification is a key finding in medullary sponge kidney.

Case Discussion

Medullary sponge kidney is a sporadic condition. The medullary and papillary portions of the collecting ducts are dysplastic and dilated. Medullary nephrocalcinosis occurs in the majority of cases. It may be unilateral or bilateral and affect a single or multiple pyramids. Clusters of pyramidal medullary calcification are characteristic. A major complication of this condition is urolithiasis leading to acute presentation with ureteric calculi (as occurred in this case)

Credit: Dr Ian Bickle.

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