Anatomical Changes In Renal Impairment And Its Implication: A Sonographic Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Renal failure (Azotemia) reflects inability of kidneys to maintain normal homeostatic function,simultaneously accompanied with rise in Blood Urea and Serum Creatinine levels. The manifestations maydevelop over days- Acute; or span over weeks to months – Chronic. Gray Scale Ultrasonography is employed, inour Study, to assess kidneys in Acute and Chronic Renal Failure.This study aims to determine the size and location of the kidneys; cortical echogenicity; severity of cortical loss;detection and aetiology of renal obstruction; and finally in the follow-up during and after the management. 200persons were taken as Control, whereas 100 patients – 50 each suffering from Acute and Chronic Renal Failure,were interrogated.Results: Renal dimension, cortical echogenicity with cortico-medullary differentiation of Control (Normal)individuals were observed. The above mentioned renal parameters were assessed both in Acute and Chronicrenal failure.No significant correlation was found between renal length and Serum Creatinine or Blood Urea levels in AcuteRenal Failure. Whereas, a statistically significant correlation between kidney length and Serum Creatinine/Blood Urea levels in Chronic Renal Failure is established. A statistically significant relationship was alsoobserved between renal cortical echogenicity and Serum Creatinine level; but not with Blood Urea level.Conclusion: Non-involvement of ionising radiation, wide spread availability with low-cost imaging modality,makes Gray Scale Ultrasonography, the cornerstone of imaging in Renal Parenchymal Disease.