Cysts and Swellings: A Systematic Review of the Association Between Polycystic Kidney Disease and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Background Whether abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) forms part of the extrarenal manifestations of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is unclear. We set out to review the evidence for an association. Materials and Methods PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases 1960–2011 were searched [abdominal aortic aneurysm OR AAA OR triple A] AND [polycystic kidney disease OR PKD OR ADPKD OR Renal Cysts]. No limitations were placed on article type or language. Reference lists were recursively searched as were pertinent journal contents. Results Eighteen papers were included. Since the first documented case of ADPKD and AAA in 1980, there have been 23 case reports. The voluminous kidneys make AAA diagnosis challenging and surgical exposure difficult. Two studies have assessed aortic diameter in patients with ADPKD and controls, one finding increased aortic diameter in ADPKD (2.7 cm vs. 2.3 cm, P < 0.02) and the other finding no difference. A further study identified a higher incidence of renal cysts in patients with AAA compared to controls (54% vs. 30%, P = 0.0006). Conclusion There is not enough clinical evidence to determine if ADPKD and AAA share a common pathology. Larger multicenter trials are required to determine if a link exists.