Diagnosis and treatment of adult polycystic kidney disease.

The methods applicable to the diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease are reviewed. By assessing the clinical data of 314 patients suffering from adult polycystic kidney disease who had been treated in the 30 years between 1950 and 1979, the importance of conservative therapy and nephrological care is emphasized. The significance of hemodialysis in therapy and the special circumstances of transplantation are discussed. The indication of surgical treatment can be extended in complication-free cases.