Renal sinus hyperechogenicity in acute pyelonephritis: description and pathological correlation

This paper reports on the association between renal sinus hyperechogenicity and acute pyelonephritis. The medical records and imaging studies of 18 ch ildren displaying this pattern were retrospectively studied. Thickening of the renal pelvis and renal enlargement were the most frequent associated so nographic abnormalities. Further subtle findings can be found on sonography and colour/power Doppler Their identification can help in the diagnostic a pproach to acute pyelonephritis and may obviate the need for other imaging modalities such as enhanced CT or Tc-99m-DMSA scintigraphy. Renal sinus hyp erechogenicity was also identified in a parallel study performed in female rabbits with experimental pyelonephritis and was shown, histologically, to be related to exudates of fibrin and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, intersti tial oedema and micro-abscesses.