Acquired cystic disease of the kidneys. Computed tomography and ultrasonography appraisal in patients on peritoneal and hemodialysis.

Screening chronic hemodialysis patients (CHD) for acquired cystic disease of the kidneys (ACDK) and its complications (hemorrhage and neoplasm) has become accepted management. We evaluated patients on CHD as well as patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) for ACDK. The kidneys of 80 chronic dialysis patients were examined by CT and real time sonography. Forty-four were hemodialysis and 36 were peritoneal dialysis patients. ACDK was found in more than 90% of both CHD and CPD patients who had been dialyzed longer than three years. Bilateral renal carcinoma was detected in one hemodialysis patient. Our results show that chronic peritoneal dialysis patients are also at risk for ACDK and its associated complications. A similar natural history for the development of ACDK in both forms of dialysis suggests that the same screening precautions should be instituted for chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.