renal dysplasia
Pronunciation: dis-PLAY-zhah
Abnormal kidney development characterized by disorganized renal tissue with primitive ducts and may include cartilage or other non-renal elements.
Full Definition
Renal dysplasia is a developmental abnormality of the kidney characterized by disorganized nephrogenesis, resulting in abnormal renal architecture with primitive tubular structures, metaplastic cartilage, and fibrous tissue. In pediatric nephrology, dysplasia can be unilateral or bilateral, and may be associated with other urological anomalies such as posterior urethral valves or vesicoureteral reflux. The condition ranges from mild focal dysplasia to severe multicystic dysplastic kidney where the organ is non-functional and composed entirely of cysts. Diagnosis is typically made by prenatal ultrasound or postnatal imaging showing increased echogenicity, loss of corticomedullary differentiation, and sometimes cystic changes. Bilateral severe dysplasia can lead to oligohydramnios and Potter sequence.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from polycystic kidney disease and specify whether dysplasia is focal, segmental, or global.
In Context
- "Histopathology confirmed severe renal dysplasia with primitive tubular structures and metaplastic cartilage." — Pathology report
- "The patient had unilateral renal dysplasia with compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral kidney." — Pediatric urology consultation