Diagnosing ADPKD

Multiple techniques can be used to confirm a diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)1

Diagnosis of ADPKD is typically established on the basis of2:

Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used to confirm diagnosis of ADPKD and quantify the size of the kidney.1

  • While ultrasonography is a safe, easily performed, inexpensive, and most commonly used imaging tool to diagnose ADPKD, it is not precise enough to detect short-term disease progression3
  • MRI has been shown to be more sensitive and reliable for measurement of renal cyst volume3

The variable symptoms of ADPKD can make confirming a positive family history challenging. For patients with a positive family history, genetic testing is available to help confirm a diagnosis of ADPKD.2

Once diagnosed, how do you measure disease progression?

Learn how total kidney volume (TKV) can play an important role >

Recommended renal ultrasound diagnosis criteria4

Criteria based on age and cyst count in patients with a positive family history.

Signs & Symptoms of ADPKD

  1. Virzi GM, Corradi V, Panagiotou A, et al. ADPKD: Prototype of cardiorenal syndrome type 4. Int J Nephrol. 2010;2011:490795. doi:10.4061/2011/490795

  2. Ness B, Stovall K. Current recommendations for treating autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. JAAPA. 2016;29(12):24-28.

  3. Masoumi A, Reed-Gitomer B, Kelleher C, Bekheirnia MR, Schrier RW. Developments in the management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008:4(2):393-407.

  4. Pei Y, Watnick T. Diagnosis and screening of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2010;17(2):140-152. doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2009.12.001