Ultrasonographic diagnosis and typing of renal tuberculosis.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical value of sonography in the diagnosis and typing of renal tuberculosis. METHODS: A total of 258 cases of renal tuberculosis with complete sonographic data were reviewed. The distinguishing features of the ultrasound images of these cases were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The coincidence rate of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of renal tuberculosis was 58.9% (152/258). According to the distinguishing features of the ultrasound images, renal tuberculosis could be classified under six types. Type I: nephrectasia type, 23 cases; type II: hydrops type, 21 cases; type III: empyema type, 13 cases; type IV: inflammatory and atrophy type, 15 cases; type V: calcification type, 34 cases; type VI: mixed type, 46 cases. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic examination has convenient, low-priced and non-invasive advantages. The typing of renal tuberculosis based on the distinguishing features of the ultrasound images provides important and reliable information for the clinical diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of renal tuberculosis.