Volume of polycystic kidneys during reduction of renal function.

Total renal volume was measured by CT scanning in 43 patients with the adult form of polycystic kidney disease whose 24h endogenous creatinine clearance ranged from 8 to 130 ml/min. The total volume of the 2 kidneys increased from 1,212 (SD +/- 411) cm3 in patients with normal renal function to 2,053 (SD +/-698) cm3 in patients with severely decreased function, as compared to 497 (SD +/- 58) cm3 in persons without evidence of renal disease. Despite progression of the disease, the mean difference in size between the 2 kidneys remained constant and was significant only in patients with well-preserved renal function. In 23 of the 43 patients hepatic cysts and in 2 patients pancreatic cysts were demonstrable by CT scanning.