Cystic dysplastic kidneys associated with Dandy-Walker malformation and congenital hepatic fibrosis. Report of two cases.

The combined abnormalities of Dandy-Walker malformation, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and generalized cystic dysplastic kidneys were found in two sanguineously unrelated premature babies. This type of cerebrohepatorenal malformation is certainly unique and is generally diagnosed based on the characteristic renal lesion. Remarkably, similar renal lesions have been found in Meckel's syndrome, Goldston's syndrome, and Miranda's syndrome. The present cases can be distinguished from Meckel's syndrome on the basis of the presence of Dandy-Walker malformation and the absence of polydactyly and occipital meningoencephalocele. Although the authors' cases resemble the latter two syndromes in terms of the presence of Dandy-Walker malformation, it is tentatively considered that the distinct triads found in the present cases could represent a new variant of a multiple malformation syndrome with generalized cystic dysplastic kidneys. The etiology of these cases remains unclear, but a genetic factor, which has been suggested as for other syndromes, might be involved.