ULTRASOUND FINDINGS IN RENAL PARENCHYMAL DISEASE - COMPARISON WITH HISTOLOGICAL APPEARANCES

Ultrasound examination was carried out in 55 patients undergoing renal biopsy for suspected renal parenchymal disease. Analysis of sonograph ic and histological findings showed statistically significant positive correlations between renal size and the extent of glomerular hyper-ce llularity and crescent formation and between cortical echogenicity and severity of glomerular sclerosis, crescent formation, interstitial in flammatory cell infiltration, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosi s. Positive correlation was also observed between prominence of the me dullary pyramids and glomerular sclerosis. The most marked sonographic abnormalities were seen in proliferative (including crescentic) glome rulonephritis, diabetic glomerulosclerosis and tubulo-interstitiai nep hritis. IgA, membranous and minimal change nephropathy were less likel y to be associated with sonographic abnormalities. We conclude that ce rtain sonographic appearances in renal parenchymal disease reflect the presence and severity of light microscopical abnormalities but, altho ugh ultrasound assessment provides a high positive predictive value fo r renal parenchymal disease, specific conditions cannot be distinguish ed.