Presentation
Sonographic evaluation of disease progression in a dialysis patient with chronic renal disease
Patient Data
Although both kidneys are orthotopic, they show increased renal parenchyma reflectivity and loss of corticomedullary differentiation. They are also reduced in size, with cortical thinning and cortical cysts. Color Doppler interrogation reveals decreased vascularity.
There is no evidence of hydronephrosis or hydroureter seen.
Case Discussion
Depending on the stage and underlying etiology of the disease, chronic kidney disease can exhibit a variety of sonographic presentations. Sonography is a prominent method for evaluating the kidneys because it provides useful information regarding the size, shape, and structural changes within the kidneys.
The kidneys may appear normal or slightly enlarged in the early stages of chronic renal disease. However, as the disease advances, the kidneys frequently atrophy due to the loss of functional tissue.
On ultrasonography, there is usually a visible difference between the renal cortex and medulla. This differentiation is reduced in chronic kidney disease, and the cortex and medulla appear more similar in echogenicity.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.