Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a birth defect of tiny tubes (tubules) inside the kidneys. In MSK, tiny sacs called cysts form in the inner part of the kidney (the medulla), creating a sponge-like appearance. Problems caused by MSK include blood in the urine, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment.
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts appear as clusters of light.
Image by NIDDK/NIH
About
A medullary sponge kidney - In MSK, cysts form in the collecting tubes and keep urine from flowing freely through the kidneys.
Image by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
A medullary sponge kidney - In MSK, cysts form in the collecting tubes and keep urine from flowing freely through the kidneys.
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. An inset shows a microscopic view of a nephron with cysts growing on the tubule. Labels point to the cysts.
Image by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
What Is Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a birth defect of the tubules - tiny tubes inside the kidneys. In a normal kidney, urine flows through these tubules as it is being formed. In MSK, tiny sacs called cysts form in the medulla (the inner part of the kidney), creating a sponge-like appearance. The cysts keep urine from flowing freely through the tubules. MSK is present at birth but symptoms typically do not occur until adolescence or adulthood. Problems caused by MSK include blood in the urine, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. MSK rarely leads to more serious problems, such as total kidney failure. There is no cure for this condition, so treatment is aimed at removing kidney stones and treating urinary tract infections with antibiotics.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (5)
Medullary sponge kidneys
Case courtesy of Dr Fazel Rahman Faizi, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 69363
Image by Fazel Rahman Faizi/Wikimedia
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. Two white spots on the kidney are circled. A label identifies the white spots as cysts
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts appear as clusters of light.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney (MSK)
The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. In MSK, cysts form in the collecting tubes and keep urine from flowing freely through the kidneys.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. An inset shows a microscopic view of a nephron with cysts growing on the tubule. Labels point to the cysts
In MSK, cysts form in the collecting tubes and keep urine from flowing freely through the kidneys.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Medullary sponge kidney - an Osmosis preview
Video by Osmosis/YouTube
Medullary sponge kidneys
Fazel Rahman Faizi/Wikimedia
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. Two white spots on the kidney are circled. A label identifies the white spots as cysts
NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney (MSK)
NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. An inset shows a microscopic view of a nephron with cysts growing on the tubule. Labels point to the cysts
NIDDK Image Library
0:53
Medullary sponge kidney - an Osmosis preview
Osmosis/YouTube
What Is MSK?
Medullary sponge kidneys
Image by Fazel Rahman Faizi/Wikimedia
Medullary sponge kidneys
Case courtesy of Dr Fazel Rahman Faizi, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 69363
Image by Fazel Rahman Faizi/Wikimedia
What Is Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Medullary sponge kidney, also known as Cacchi-Ricci disease, is a birth defect where changes occur in the tubules, or tiny tubes, inside a fetus’ kidneys.
In a normal kidney, urine flows through these tubules as the kidney is being formed during a fetus’ growth. In medullary sponge kidney, tiny, fluid-filled sacs called cysts form in the tubules within the medulla—the inner part of the kidney—creating a spongelike appearance. The cysts keep urine from flowing freely through the tubules.
Symptoms of medullary sponge kidney do not usually appear until the teenage years or the 20s. Medullary sponge kidney can affect one or both kidneys.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Is It Common?
Statistically how often is a newborn affected
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors
Statistically how often is a newborn affected
How common
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors
How Common Is Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Medullary sponge kidney affects about one person per 5,000 people in the United States. Researchers have reported that 12 to 20 percent of people who develop calcium-based kidney stones have medullary sponge kidney.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Causes
Embryo 9 Week Old (Week 2) Showing Lung and Kidney
Image by TheVisualMD
Embryo 9 Week Old (Week 2) Showing Lung and Kidney
Computer generated image reconstructed from scanned human data. Actual size of embryo = 1.5 inches, 0.14 oz. This image presents a dorsal view of the embryo during its ninth week of development. The age is calculated from the day of fertilization. The posterior part of the brain can be observed on top, indicated in dark purple. The spinal cord, one of the first structures to develop, is highlighted in dark peach. The lungs are indicated in dark orange and the liver, shown behind the spinal cord, is indicated in dark purple. The kidneys are marked in bright red.
Image by TheVisualMD
What Causes Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Scientists do not fully understand the cause of medullary sponge kidney or why cysts form in the tubules during fetal development. Even though medullary sponge kidney is present at birth, most cases do not appear to be inherited.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Additional Materials (1)
Prenatal kidney
Image showing prenatal kidney. Normal human fetal kidney will show prominent lobulations which disappear postnatally to form a smooth surfaced kidney.
Image by Dr. Roshan Nasimudeen/Wikimedia
Prenatal kidney
Dr. Roshan Nasimudeen/Wikimedia
Risk Factors
Kidney with Kidney Stone
Image by TheVisualMD
Kidney with Kidney Stone
Our kidneys are remarkable filters. Each day, they filter about 200 quarts of blood to extract about 2 quarts of wastes, which is then eliminated as urine (2 ureters connect the kidneys to the bladder, which stores urine, until it is passed through the urethra). If fluids, minerals and pH are out of balance, however, the result can be kidney stones, small, hard crystalline deposits that form inside the kidneys and are passed (painfully) through the urinary tract. Kidney stones can be caused by metabolic disorders, dietary imbalance, and infections. Risk factors include obesity, dehydration and family history.
Image by TheVisualMD
Who Is More Likely to Develop Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Medullary sponge kidney affects all races and geographic regions. Among people who are more likely to develop calcium-based kidney stones, women are more likely than men to have medullary sponge kidney.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Additional Materials (1)
Kidney stones
What are kidney stones?
Kidney Stone is a crystalline and hard mineral material, which is formed within the kidney or in our urinary tract. A kidney stone is a common cause of hematuria (blood in the urine) and is often severe pain in the stomach, groin or flank. Kidney Stone is sometimes called Renal Calculi.
Image by Martingerg/Wikimedia
Kidney stones
Martingerg/Wikimedia
Symptoms
Urine of patient with porphyria
Image by Chen GL, Yang DH, Wu JY, Kuo CW, Hsu WH
Urine of patient with porphyria
Change in urine color before and after sun exposure Left figure is urine of the first day. Right figure is urine after sun exposure for 3 days. Urine color changed to “port wine” color after sun exposure. This color change is due to increased concentrations of porphyrin intermediates in the urine, indicating an abnormality in production and a partial block within the enzymatic porphyrin chain with metabolite formation. The urine color usually becomes darker with acute illness, even dark reddish or brown after sun exposure.
Image by Chen GL, Yang DH, Wu JY, Kuo CW, Hsu WH
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Many people with medullary sponge kidney have no symptoms. The first sign that a person has medullary sponge kidney is usually a UTI or a kidney stone. UTIs and kidney stones share many of the same signs and symptoms:
burning or painful urination
pain in the back, lower abdomen, or groin
cloudy, dark, or bloody urine
foul-smelling urine
fever and chills
vomiting
People who experience these symptoms should see or call a health care provider as soon as possible.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Complications
Depiction of a person with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Image by https://www.myupchar.com
Depiction of a person with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Depiction of a lady who has a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). The typical symptoms of UTI have been shown.
Image by https://www.myupchar.com
What Are the Complications of Medullary Sponge Kidney?
Complications of medullary sponge kidney include
hematuria, or blood in the urine
kidney stones
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Medullary sponge kidney rarely leads to more serious problems, such as chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Diagnosis
Inheritance and Family Medical History
Image by mcmurryjulie
Inheritance and Family Medical History
Family History
Image by mcmurryjulie
How Is Medullary Sponge Kidney Diagnosed?
A health care provider diagnoses medullary sponge kidney based on
a medical and family history
a physical exam
imaging studies
Medical and Family History
Taking a medical and family history can help diagnose medullary sponge kidney. A health care provider will suspect medullary sponge kidney when a person has repeated UTIs or kidney stones.
Physical Exam
No physical signs are usually present in a patient with medullary sponge kidney, except for blood in the urine. Health care providers usually confirm a diagnosis of medullary sponge kidney with imaging studies.
Imaging Studies
Imaging is the medical term for tests that use different methods to see bones, tissues, and organs inside the body. Health care providers commonly choose one or more of three imaging techniques to diagnose medullary sponge kidney:
intravenous pyelogram
computerized tomography (CT) scan
ultrasound
A radiologist—a doctor who specializes in medical imaging—interprets the images from these studies, and patients do not need anesthesia.
Intravenous Pyelogram
In an intravenous pyelogram, a health care provider injects a special dye, called contrast medium, into a vein in the patient’s arm. The contrast medium travels through the body to the kidneys. The kidneys excrete the contrast medium into urine, which makes the urine visible on an x-ray. An x-ray technician performs this procedure at a health care provider’s office, an outpatient center, or a hospital. An intravenous pyelogram can show any blockage in the urinary tract, and the cysts show up as clusters of light.
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts show up as clusters of light.
Computerized Tomography Scans
Computerized tomography scans use a combination of x-rays and computer technology to create images. For a CT scan, a health care provider may give the patient a solution to drink and an injection of contrast medium. CT scans require the patient to lie on a table that slides into a tunnel-shaped device where the x-rays are taken. An x-ray technician performs the procedure in an outpatient center or a hospital. CT scans can show expanded or stretched tubules.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses a device, called a transducer, that bounces safe, painless sound waves off organs to create an image of their structure. A specially trained technician performs the procedure in a health care provider’s office, an outpatient center, or a hospital. Ultrasound can show kidney stones and calcium deposits within the kidney.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Intravenous Pyelogram
Intravenous Pyelogram
Also called: IVP, Excretory Urography, Intravenous Urography
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an x-ray exam of the urinary tract (and the prostate gland in males). It can find blockages and other problems in the urinary tract.
Intravenous Pyelogram
Also called: IVP, Excretory Urography, Intravenous Urography
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is an x-ray exam of the urinary tract (and the prostate gland in males). It can find blockages and other problems in the urinary tract.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
The kidneys, bladder, and ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) have a normal shape, size, and position in the body.
Related conditions
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) uses x-rays to take pictures of the organs of your urinary tract. These are the organs that make urine (pee) and remove it from your body. They include your:
Kidneys, two organs located below the rib cage, one on each side of your spine. They filter your blood to remove waste and extra water in urine (pee).
Bladder, a hollow organ in your pelvis (the area below your belly). It stores urine.
Ureters, thin tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder.
IVP uses contrast dye to make these organs show up well on x-ray images. In males, x-rays from an IVP can also show the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder and makes the fluid part of semen.
During an IVP, contrast dye is injected into a vein using an intravenous (IV) line. The dye travels through your bloodstream to your kidneys, which filter it out. The dye collects in the organs of your urinary tract and makes them look bright white on the x-rays. This allows your health care provider to see blockages or other problems that affect your urinary organs.
IVP isn't commonly used anymore. Instead, providers usually order CT (computerized tomography) scans to see the urinary tract. CT scans can provide more information than x-rays from an IVP. But IVP may be useful in certain situations.
Your provider can explain the pros and cons of having an IVP or a CT scan. In certain cases, MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging) or ultrasound may also be options for looking at the urinary tract.
Other names: excretory urography, intravenous urography
An IVP may be used to help find the cause of symptoms that may involve the urinary tract or prostate. It can be used to help diagnose disorders such as:
Kidney stones
Stones in the bladder or ureters
Kidney cysts
Enlarged prostate (BPH)
Tumors in the kidneys, bladder, or ureters (cancerous and not cancerous)
Birth defects that affect the structure of the urinary tract
Scarring from a urinary tract infection (UTI)
IVP usually isn't used during pregnancy or for infants and children.
You may need an IVP if you have symptoms of a urinary tract disorder. These may include:
Pain in your side or back
Sharp pains in your abdomen (belly), side, groin or back
Blood in your urine
Cloudy or bad-smelling urine
Pain when urinating (peeing)
Needing to urinate frequently, or not being able to urinate
Nausea and vomiting
Swelling in your feet or legs
Fever and chills
You may also need an IVP if you have had many urinary tract infections or have had an injury that may have damaged your urinary organs.
An IVP may be done in your provider's office or a hospital. The test is often done by a radiology technician (a health care professional who is trained to do x-ray exams). The procedure takes about an hour and generally includes these steps:
You'll usually remove your clothing and put on a gown.
You'll lie down on your back on an x-ray table. The technician will take an x-ray to make sure the machine is set right for you.
The technician will insert an IV into a vein in your arm or hand and inject the contrast dye.
Several x-rays will be taken to see how your kidneys filter the dye. You may be asked to move into different positions.
The technician may wrap a special belt tightly around your belly. This helps keep the contrast dye in your kidneys. After the belt is removed, more x-rays will be taken to show the dye passing from your kidneys through your ureters and into your bladder.
Before the IVP is finished, you'll be asked to use the bathroom or a bedpan to urinate. Then the last x-rays will be taken to see if any urine remains in your bladder. This shows how well your bladder works to empty urine.
After the test, drinking plenty of fluids will help flush the contrast dye out of your body.
Your provider will give you instructions for how to prepare for an IVP. You will probably need to fast (not eat or drink) after midnight on the night before your test. You may also be asked to take a mild laxative the evening before the IVP. A laxative is medicine that helps you empty your bowels (poop).
There's a small chance you could have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Reactions can often be managed with medicine. Serious reactions are rare. But certain conditions may increase the chance of problems, such as having other allergies, congestive heart failure, or diabetes. If you have any of these conditions, tell your provider. You may be able to take medicine before the IVP to reduce the chance of reacting to the dye.
When the contrast dye is injected, you may feel itchy, warm, or queasy. Some people have a metallic taste in their mouths. These feelings are harmless and usually go away quickly.
Tell your provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. An IVP delivers a low dose of radiation. The dose is safe for most people, but it can be harmful to an unborn baby.
Your IVP images will be studied by a diagnostic radiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in examining x-rays, MRIs, and other medical images to diagnose medical conditions. The radiologist will send a report with your IVP results to your provider. The report will explain exactly what the x-rays showed.
In general:
Normal results mean that:
The organs of your urinary tract looked normal, and no blockages were seen.
Your kidneys, ureters, and bladder worked normally to filter the dye and pass it out of your body.
In males, the prostate was the right size, and no problems were seen.
Abnormal results mean that something irregular was found on your IVP images. Ask your provider to explain your report and diagnosis. Examples of abnormal results include:
One or more of urinary tract organs did not appear to be the right size or shape, or it was not in the usual place.
A tumor, stone, cyst, injury, scar, or some other abnormal area of tissue was found and may be blocking the flow of urine.
Your urinary tract did not filter the dye and/or pass it out of your body as quickly or completely as it should.
In males, the prostate was larger than normal.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP): MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Jun 27, 2024]
Urinary Tract Imaging - NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. [accessed on May 31, 2019]
Ectopic Kidney - NIDDK. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. [accessed on May 31, 2019]
Intravenous pyelogram: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Oct 23, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (7)
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts appear as clusters of light.
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. Two white spots on the kidney are circled. A label identifies the white spots as cysts
Image by NIDDK/NIH
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. Two white spots on the kidney are circled. A label identifies the white spots as cysts
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts appear as clusters of light.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts appear as clusters of light.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
Drawing of an IVP x-ray view of the urinary tract showing contrast medium filtering from the blood and passing through the kidneys, down the ureters, into the bladder.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney (MSK)
The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. In MSK, cysts form in the collecting tubes and keep urine from flowing freely through the kidneys.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
MDI Radiology CT IVP 3D
Video by MDIRadiology/YouTube
How Do Kidney Stones Form? How Can We Prevent Them?
Video by VIP Urology/YouTube
In an intravenous pyelogram of a medullary sponge kidney, cysts appear as clusters of light.
NIDDK/NIH
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge. Two white spots on the kidney are circled. A label identifies the white spots as cysts
NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney as seen in an intravenous pyelogram. The background is black. The large part of the kidney appears to be porous, like a sponge
NIDDK Image Library
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a medullary sponge kidney (MSK)
NIDDK Image Library
0:51
MDI Radiology CT IVP 3D
MDIRadiology/YouTube
7:00
How Do Kidney Stones Form? How Can We Prevent Them?
VIP Urology/YouTube
CT Scan
CT Scan
A CT scan is a special x-ray procedure that can make detailed pictures of structures inside your body. A CT scan is commonly used to look for certain chest problems, including infection, lung cancer, and pulmonary embolism.
CT Scan
A CT scan is a special x-ray procedure that can make detailed pictures of structures inside your body. A CT scan is commonly used to look for certain chest problems, including infection, lung cancer, and pulmonary embolism.
Computed tomography, or CT, scans are medical imaging tests that use ionizing radiation to create cross-sectional (slices) pictures inside selected areas of the body from different angles. The images can show internal organs, blood vessels, soft tissues, and bones. CT scans combine a series of x-ray (radiography) images into a three-dimensional picture.
Your healthcare provider may ask for a CT scan to detect, diagnose, or plan treatment for a particular disease or injury.
Common uses of CT scan include checking for:
Tumors
Infections
Blood clots
Internal bleeding
Before the procedure
The radiologist will explain the procedure and ask you if you have any questions. Some CT procedures may use a contrast dye which allows healthcare providers to see specific organ(s). You may be asked to drink the contrast dye or you may receive it in an intravenous (IV) line in the hand or arm.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider and the radiologist doing the test if you:
Have ever had an allergic reaction to any contrast dye.
Are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant.
During the Procedure
You will be asked to remove any clothing and jewelry that may interfere with the procedure.
You will be asked to lie very still on a table while it moves slowly through an x-ray machine (like a tube) taking images of your body.
The computer will organize the x-ray information to show the internal structures in detail.
CT scans usually require more exposure to radiation than common x-rays because they use a series of x-ray images. Increased exposure means a slightly higher risk of possible short-term and long-term health effects. However, CT scans provide your healthcare provider with more detailed images that can include parts of the body that may not be seen on common x-ray images. Talk to your healthcare provider to decide what type of imaging will use the least amount of radiation while providing the information and details needed for your diagnosis.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scans | Radiation | NCEH | CDC. Dec 28, 2021 [accessed on Jan 31, 2023]
Has use of CT scans in emergency departments to test for pulmonary embolism leveled off? | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oct 22, 2018 [accessed on Jan 31, 2023]
Computed Tomography (CT). National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering [accessed on Jan 31, 2023]
Treatment
Kidney Stones Lithotripsy
Image by TheVisualMD
Kidney Stones Lithotripsy
Kidney Stones Lithotripsy
Image by TheVisualMD
How Is Medullary Sponge Kidney Treated?
Scientists have not discovered a way to reverse medullary sponge kidney. Once a health care provider is sure a person has medullary sponge kidney, treatment focuses on
curing an existing UTI
removing any kidney stones
Curing an Existing Urinary Tract Infection
To treat a UTI, the health care provider may prescribe a medication called an antibiotic that kills bacteria. The choice of medication and length of treatment depend on the person’s medical history and the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Removing Kidney Stones
Treatment for kidney stones usually depends on their size and what they are made of, as well as whether they are causing pain or obstructing the urinary tract. Kidney stones may be treated by a general practitioner or by a urologist—a doctor who specializes in the urinary tract.
Small stones usually pass through the urinary tract without treatment. Still, the person may need pain medication and should drink lots of liquids to help move the stone along. Pain control may consist of oral or intravenous (IV) medication, depending on the duration and severity of the pain. People may need IV fluids if they become dehydrated from vomiting or an inability to drink.
A person with a larger stone, or one that blocks urine flow and causes great pain, may need more urgent treatment, such as
shock wave lithotripsy. A machine called a lithotripter is used to break up the kidney stone into smaller pieces to pass more easily through the urinary tract. The patient may need local or general anesthesia.
ureteroscopy. A ureteroscope—a long, tubelike instrument with an eyepiece—is used to find and retrieve the stone with a small basket or to break the stone up with laser energy. Local or general anesthesia may be required.
percutaneous nephrolithotomy. In this procedure, a wire-thin viewing instrument, called a nephroscope, is used to locate and remove the stones. During the procedure, which requires general anesthesia, a tube is inserted directly into the kidney through a small incision in the patient’s back.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Medications to Prevent Future Urinary Tract Infections and Kidney Stones
Health care providers may prescribe certain medications to prevent UTIs and kidney stones:
A person with medullary sponge kidney may need to continue taking a low-dose antibiotic to prevent recurrent infections.
Medications that reduce calcium in the urine may help prevent calcium kidney stones. These medications may include
potassium citrate
thiazide
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Diet and Nutrition
Hydrate
Image by TheVisualMD
Hydrate
Hydrate and complete the cleansing of the kidneys and bladder
Image by TheVisualMD
Eating, Diet, and Nutrition to Prevent UTIs and Kidney Stones
The following changes in diet may help prevent UTIs and kidney stone formation:
Drinking plenty of water and other liquids can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract and dilute urine so kidney stones cannot form. A person should drink enough liquid to produce about 2 to 2.5 quarts of urine every day.
Reducing sodium intake, mostly from salt, may help prevent kidney stones. Diets high in sodium can increase the excretion of calcium into the urine and thus increase the chance of calcium-containing kidney stones forming.
Foods rich in animal proteins such as meat, eggs, and fish can increase the chance of uric acid stones and calcium stones forming. People who form stones should limit their meat consumption to 6 to 8 ounces a day.
People who are more likely to develop calcium oxalate stones should include 1,000 milligrams of calcium in their diet every day. Adults older than 50 years should consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. Calcium in the digestive tract binds to oxalate from food and keeps it from entering the blood and the urinary tract, where it can form stones.
People with medullary sponge kidney should talk with their health care provider or a dietitian before making any dietary changes. A dietitian can help a person plan healthy meals.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Prevention
No treatment
Image by aitoff/Pixabay
No treatment
Image by aitoff/Pixabay
Can Medullary Sponge Kidney Be Prevented?
Scientists have not yet found a way to prevent medullary sponge kidney. However, health care providers can recommend medications and dietary changes to prevent future UTIs and kidney stones.
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
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Medullary Sponge Kidney
Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a birth defect of tiny tubes (tubules) inside the kidneys. In MSK, tiny sacs called cysts form in the inner part of the kidney (the medulla), creating a sponge-like appearance. Problems caused by MSK include blood in the urine, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment.