Cystic changes in adult human kidneys after ureteral obstruction: microdissection studies.

Five kidneys from patients suffering from ureteral obstruction were selected for the study; from each, 100 nephrons and 20 collecting ducts were studied using Darmady's microdissection technique. Whereas three kidneys showed macroscopic cysts, microscopically, all kidneys displayed dilation and diverticulation of the nephrons particularly of the loop of Henlé and of distal convoluted tubules. Some dilatation of the collecting ducts was also noticed.