Does the presence of two kidney cysts in the MRI indicate polycystic kidney disease?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 25-year-old male, with normal weight, height, and blood pressure. There is no significant family history of diseases or serious illnesses. About a year ago, I had a kidney stone, likely due to insufficient water intake and excessive soda consumption. After passing the stone, I had an MRI scan for work purposes which showed two cysts, one in each kidney. The MRI report concluded the that the kidneys and urinary tracts appear normal. Both cysts are Bosniak 2 and stable. The MRI does not indicate any renal calculi. No follow-up required.

The doctor discharged me, stating that this is normal. However, I am concerned if it is common to find two cysts in a 25-year-old male during an MRI scan. I worry this might be a sign of Polycystic kidney disease. Could PKD result in more than two or three cysts being detected through an MRI at my age? I have heard that PKD typically shows hundreds of cysts, but I would appreciate a professional opinion on this matter. Kindly clarify.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

To diagnose polycystic kidney disease (PKD) based on imaging, there typically needs to be a minimum of two cysts in each kidney. If there are fewer than two cysts, it is not usually considered as PKD.

Additionally, having a family history of PKD is significant when considering the likelihood of this condition. Since you mentioned that you do not have any family history of PKD, there is no need to worry. The cysts you mentioned are generally benign. It might be a good idea to consider repeating an ultrasound (USG) or MRI of your kidneys every three years to monitor for any potential increase in cyst size or number. But, it is unlikely that these cysts would progress significantly.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.

Thanks and regards.