ASYMMETRIC MEDULLARY NEPHROCALCINOSIS IN 2 CHILDREN

Medullary nephrocalcinosis (MNC) is usually a bilateral process with s ymmetric involvement of both kidneys. Asymmetric medullary nephrocalci nosis has been previously reported in the literature, but has not been well illustrated or explained. We report the sonographic findings in two pediatric patients with hypercalcemia. In both patients an unrelat ed unilateral renal abnormality, (renal vein thrombosis in one and obs tructive hydronephrosis in the other) prevented the development of MNC in the affected kidney, probably by de creasing the glomerular filtra tion rate and/or altering the renal tubular function.