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Ency. home > Disease > M > Medullary cystic disease

Medullary cystic disease    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Familial juvenile nephrophthisis; Senior-Loken syndrome

Treatment

Treatments focus on controlling symptoms, minimizing complications, and slowing the progression of the disease.

Adequate fluid intake should be encouraged. Dietary restrictions may slow the build-up of wastes in the bloodstream and control associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The diet is often low protein, with high levels of carbohydrates to make up calories.

Potassium, phosphorus, and other substances may be restricted. Salt should rarely be restricted in people with medullary cystic disease, even if hypertension or fluid retention is present.

Loss of sodium from the kidney can cause severe sodium depletion in the body. After evaluation of daily requirements, extra salt may be advised.

Medications, such as iron and erythropoietin, may be needed to control anemia. Blood transfusions are needed very rarely.

Associated diseases that cause or result from chronic renal failure must be controlled. Hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic urinary tract infection, kidney stones, obstructions of the urinary tract (chronic urethral obstruction), glomerulonephritis, and other disorders should be treated as appropriate.

Dialysis or kidney transplantation may eventually be required.

Prognosis

There is no cure for chronic renal failure resulting from medullary cystic disease. Untreated, it usually progresses to end-stage renal disease. Chronic, lifelong treatment may control the symptoms of chronic renal failure.

Complications

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate medullary cystic disease may be present.

Ency. home > Disease > M > Medullary cystic disease

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