ANTENATAL AND NEONATAL RENAL-VEIN THROMBOSIS - NEW ULTRASONIC FEATURES WITH HIGH-FREQUENCY TRANSDUCERS

The ultrasonic appearances of two infants with renal vein thrombosis ( RVT) are described, One infant presented in the neonatal period and on e antenatally. Consistent with previous reports, one or both kidneys w ere enlarged, with a generalised increase in echogenicity and vascular or perivascular streaking compatible with interlobular and arcuate ve ssel occlusion, Using high frequency transducers (7.0-10 MHz), we iden tified new features during the course of the disease. The apex of the renal papilla became hypo-echoic and there was a ring of reduced echog enicity around the affected pyramids 1-2 weeks after the acute phase. These features correlate with the known pathophysiological course of R VT, but have not been previously described using ultrasound. The featu res are illustrated and the mechanism is discussed.