Background: Aside from congenital anomalies of the urogenital tract, fetal renal tissue itself can be dysplastic. Prenatal ultrasound allows the differential diagnosis of simple cysts, different degrees of renal dysplasia and agenesis of the kidneys.
Materials and methods: This article focuses on the multifactorious complex of parenchymal renal disease. According to the classification of Potter Syndrome and cystic renal dysplasia/Potter Sequences I-IV, pathogenesis, prenatal diagnosis, pre- and postnatal treatment options and prognosis are discussed.
Results and discussion: Concomitant absence of amniotic fluid frequently refutes diagnosis until artificial amniotic fluid infusion has been performed. Although intrauterine therapy is rarely possible, the frequent association with other abnormalities and fetal syndromes may be of consequence. The sonographic appearance of parenchymal renal disease is heterogeneous. This inconsistency has lead to different classifications. This study uses the "modified Potter Classification" of parenchymal disease in kidneys (Zerres).