The calcified kidney

What is a calcified kidney?

Calcified kidney (also known as nephrocalcinosis) describes a clinical picture in which increased calcium is deposited in the kidneys. The causes can be very different, but are usually based on a metabolic disorder. The consequences range from kidney dysfunction to complete renal failure.

Occasionally, however, a calcified kidney also refers to calcification of the renal artery, i.e. the vessel that supplies the kidney with blood. In this case, renal function can also be impaired. However, the causes of the disease are more likely to be cardiovascular diseases, i.e. calcification and fat deposits in the vessels.

The causes of a calcified kidney

The causes of a calcified kidney are usually a disturbed calcium metabolism. For example, increased absorption in the intestine can lead to more calcium deposits in the kidney. The bone metabolism can also produce more calcium than usual and thus lead to an accumulation of calcium.

In most cases, an already existing restriction of kidney function is also involved in the development of the disease. Due to the reduced kidney function, calcium is no longer excreted sufficiently, but instead accumulates in the kidney. This in turn worsens the kidney function, which can lead to a vicious circle.

The deposits can also occur as part of other diseases such as storage diseases or tumor diseases. This changes the way the body processes calcium, which may lead to calcium deposits. In addition, congenital kidney diseases can also lead to a restriction of kidney function, which can occur even before birth.

As a result, calcifications of the kidney already occur in children. Calcifications of the kidney can also occur in the form of kidney stones, in which case the calcification accumulates at one point and forms a stone in the kidney tissue. Kidney stones are the accumulation of calcium deposits at a specific location so that so-called concrements form there.

The reason for this is often due to too little drinking combined with a diet rich in oxalate (e.g. in spinach). Recurrent urinary tract infections, some of which reach up to the kidneys, also promote the development of kidney stones. If metabolic diseases occur that increase the excretion of calcium in the urine or if this excretion is disturbed, a lot of calcium accumulates in the kidney.

This can also lead to the formation of kidney stones. Kidney stones are also reported to occur more frequently in families, which is why a genetic component of the disease is assumed. In most cases, the stones are initially not noticeable.

Symptoms only occur when the stone comes off and gets stuck in the ureter or when it moves the entrance to the urinary tract in the renal pelvis. The result is colicky pain, sometimes a so-called hematuria occurs, in which blood cells enter the urine and the urine turns red. The disease can best be diagnosed by ultrasound.

There, the stones stand out as brightening in the kidney tissue. Kidney stones can also be detected in other imaging techniques such as X-rays or CT. The therapy consists of the removal of the kidney stones.

This can be done by means of surgery or shock wave therapy. Subsequently, affected persons should make sure that they drink sufficient quantities of water. There are also drugs that improve calcium excretion, which means that less calcium remains in the kidney tissue.