How Is Polycystic Kidney Disease Diagnosed

2014-03-12 03:06

Many people may wonder how is polycystic kidney disease (PKD) diagnosed. Generally speaking, it is diagnosed by family history, symptoms, imaging tests, etc.

Family history

If your parents or other family members have polycystic kidney disease, it is likely that you have PKD. And then you should go to have physical examination regularly.

Symptoms

If you suffer from enlarged abdomen, back pain, urinary tract infection and high blood pressure, it is likely that you have PKD. And then you should pay attention and go to see your doctor.

Imaging tests

-Abdominal ultrasound examination: It is the most useful and non-invasive method to diagnose PKD. In this process of examination, a wand-like device called a transducer is used to place on your body. It emits inaudible sound waves that are reflected back to the transducer. And then the computer translate the reflected sound waves into images of your kidneys.

-Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan: You should lie on a movable table and then be guided into a big doughnut-shaped device, in which X-rays scan your whole body to build a cross-section of your abdomen.

-Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: You should also lie inside a large cylinder, in which there are magnetic fields. And then radio waves image your body to visualize kidney structure and look for cysts.

-Intravenous pyelogram (IVP): In this process, a dye is used to make your blood vessels show up more clearly on an X-ray.

Sometimes cerebral angiography is also used to ensure the diagnosis, for PKD patients have a higher risk of cerebral aneurysms.

The earlier you are diagnosed with PKD, the better prognosis. Because you will have enough time to fight with PKD. Though PKD can not be cured, it can be controlled with aggressive treatment. If you would like to know how to treat PKD, please contact online doctors or leave a message below.

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