Pathogenesis of human cystic renal disease.

Cystic diseases of the kidney are common, often progressive disorders. The best of several alternative hypotheses to explain their development cites tubular dilation and compression of adjacent tissue. The initiating event may involve focal proliferation of epithelial cells and a consequent increase in the resistance to flow along affected tubules. Decompression of cysts has re-emerged as a potentially beneficial approach to therapy in selected cases of renal cystic disease.