There is increasing awareness nowadays in the effect of tuberous sclerosis on kidneys. The overall life expectancy of people with tuberous sclerosis has risen, particularly since it is now recognised in many people without serious seizures or mental retardation. Therefore many more people with tuberous sclerosis will reach the age at which the kidney problems become manifest. Epithelial cysts and angiomyolipomas are the most characteristic renal abnormalities, although other less important and rare kidney lesions can occur.
Cysts are small vesicles filled with a clear fluid and usually cause no complaints at all.
Usually the cysts are small, scattered and located in both kidneys. Occasionally where there are large numbers, these cysts may replace and compress sufficient kidney tissue to impair kidney function. Also in rare instances these cysts may bleed, leading to blood loss and anaemia. Compression by cysts may also cause obstruction of the urinary outflow from the kidney, resulting in urinary infection. Renal angiomyolipomas are the most important kidney lesions in tuberous sclerosis.