Are Simple Renal Cysts in Childhood Associated With Kidney Stones?

The renal tubules, in their various segments, are mainly responsible for the final composition of urine from glo­ merular ultrafiltrate. In a complex process involving resorption and secretion mechanisms, the tubules are responsible for retaining substances in the body, some substances are recovered almost 100% such as water and sodium chloride. Tubulopathies are a group of diseases where these selection mechanisms are impaired; they can be simple or complex depending on the number of the dysfunctional mechanisms. Nevertheless, tubules may present both morphological and structural abnor­ malities. Some of these abnormalities can be congenital (development abnormalities) usually on a genetic basis. Some are malformations (renal multicystic dysplasia), some others hereditary diseases (AR polycystic kidney). Other morphologic tubular diseases can develop after birth as part of genetic diseases such as AD polycystic kidney disease, tuberous sclerosis or medullary cystic disease. Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: We believe that it is a new way to look at the relationship be­ tween renal lithiasis and kidney malformations.