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Ultrasonography is used to assess kidney size and symmetry. Kidney size is usually 9–12 cm in length in adults with healthy kidneys. A kidney less than 9 cm in length in an adult suggests (but does not confirm) irreversible kidney disease. A difference in size of more than 1.5 cm between the two kidneys may occur in unilateral kidney disease (eg, a history of pyelonephritis causing damage to one kidney). Kidney ultrasound is also performed to assess for obstruction and hydronephrosis (eFigure 22–2), to characterize kidney stones and mass lesions, to screen for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (see Figure 22–5), to localize the kidney for a percutaneous biopsy, and to assess post-void residual urine volume in the bladder. Image quality is dependent on body habitus and may be poor in obese individuals.
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CT imaging is sometimes required to better characterize abnormalities detected by ultrasonography. Although routine CT requires radiographic contrast administration, no contrast is necessary if the study is performed to identify renal parenchymal hemorrhage or calcifications in suspected kidney stone disease (nephrolithiasis). Noncontrast helical CT scanning is 95% sensitive and 98% specific for diagnosing nephrolithiasis in patients with acute flank pain and is considered the test of choice. Because contrast is filtered by the glomeruli and concentrated in the tubules, there is enhancement of parenchymal tissue, making abnormalities such as cysts or neoplasms easily identified and allowing good visualization of renal vessels and ureters. CT imaging is especially useful for evaluation of solid or cystic lesions in the kidney or the retroperitoneal space, particularly if ultrasound results are suboptimal.
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MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
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MRI can easily distinguish renal cortex from medulla. Loss of the corticomedullary junction in a variety of disorders (eg, glomerulonephritis, hydronephrosis, renal vascular occlusion, and ESKD) is evident on MRI. Renal cysts can also be identified by MRI. For some solid lesions, MRI may be superior to CT scans. MRI is indicated as an addition or alternative to CT imaging for staging renal cell cancer and as a substitute for CT imaging in the evaluation of a renal mass, especially for patients in whom iodinated contrast is contraindicated. In addition, ...