JOURNAL OF RADIOGRAPHY AND RADIATION SCIENCES (JRRS)

Background: Despite technological advancement in uroradiology, renal ultrasonography remains the imaging modality of choice for evaluating various pathological conditions affecting the urinary tract (GIT) system.

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating sonographic features of radiologically non-functional kidneys in Kano metropolis, Nigeria.

Methods: A prospective study involving 94 subjects each from the diseased and control groups were conducted in Kano metropolis from January 2019 to January 2021. Renal scans were performed using a digital ultrasound imaging system; model DP-8800Plus fitted with a 3.5MHz curvilinear transducer. The maximum length, width, and thickness were measured. The renal echogenicity was assessed and graded. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0

Results: The mean values of the right and left renal volumes among adult patients was 400.5 ± 527.3 cm3 and 177.6 ± 174.3 cm3 respectively. For pediatric patients, it was  72.3 ± 308.6 cm3 and 241.6 ± 228.7 cm3 for the right and left kidney respectively. The renal parenchymal echogenicity of the right kidney among adult patients was scored as grade II 2 (5.3%), grade III 27 (71%), and grade IV 9 (23.7%), while those pediatric patients were Grade 0 (11.1%), and 8 (88.9%) as grade III. The adults left kidneys were scored grade II 2 (6%), and 16 (47%) each as grades III and IV, while the pediatric group scored 3 (25%) as grade II, and 9 (75%) as grade III.

Conclusion: Increased renal volume, shrunken kidney, increased renal parenchymal echogenicity, and severe hydronephrosis were strong sonographic indicators of non-functional kidneys.