Hypertension in a patient with medullary sponge kidney: A case report

RATIONALE: Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a congenital renal disorder characterized by recurrent nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis. Recently, it has been found that MSK can be also combined with other diseases, such as primary aldosteronism and Beckwith-Wiedemann, but whether it is associated with secondary hypertension remains unknown. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 22-year-old hypertensive female presented to our hospital characterized by hypokalemia and hypertension. DIAGNOSIS: The laboratory examination showed secondary aldosteronism. And the common causes for secondary aldosteronism include renal artery stenosis, glomerulonephritis, lupus nephropathy, and diabetic nephropathy, all of which were excluded except MSK. INTERVENTIONS: She was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. OUTCOMES: Her blood pressure, serum potassium, and plasma renin levels were reversed after treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. LESSONS: We presumed that MSK may be associated with secondary hypertension, and the mechanism may be the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.