Authors
Rafiu MO, Akerele NN, Ahmed SD, Otaigbe OI, Erohubie CE, Emorinken A, Eluehike SU, Olugbemide OA, Akpede N, Dada SA, Akerele JM, Adetunji AE, Azubike CO
Abstract
Renal ultrasound is an effective, noninvasive method for assessing renal health. It measures parameters like kidney size, echogenicity, and corticomedullary differentiation, which help evaluate renal function and pathology. Despite rising chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases in Nigeria and worldwide, data on ultrasound use in Nigerian patients are limited. This study examines renal features in patients with CKD and their clinical implications.
Method: This was a Retrospective Observational study at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) carried out from June 2023-June 2024. All consenting adults with CKD were included. Ultrasound was used to assess kidney size, echogenicity, and corticomedullary differentiation. Data obtained were analysed with Stata 17, with significance set at P < 0.05.
Result: The average renal lengths measured were 10.08 ± 1.48 cm for the right kidney and 10.40 ± 1.46 cm for the left kidney. Increased renal echogenicity was identified in 58.1% of right kidneys and 59.0% of left kidneys. Loss of corticomedullary differentiation was observed in 34.5% of right kidneys and 34.2% of left kidneys. The presence of reduced kidney size increased cortical echogenicity, and loss of corticomedullary differentiation was significantly associated with mortality.
Conclusion: Ultrasound measurements of renal length in our CKD patients were mostly within normal limits, but smaller kidneys, increased cortical echogenicity, and loss of corticomedullary differentiation were significantly associated with higher mortality.
Method: This was a Retrospective Observational study at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) carried out from June 2023-June 2024. All consenting adults with CKD were included. Ultrasound was used to assess kidney size, echogenicity, and corticomedullary differentiation. Data obtained were analysed with Stata 17, with significance set at P < 0.05.
Result: The average renal lengths measured were 10.08 ± 1.48 cm for the right kidney and 10.40 ± 1.46 cm for the left kidney. Increased renal echogenicity was identified in 58.1% of right kidneys and 59.0% of left kidneys. Loss of corticomedullary differentiation was observed in 34.5% of right kidneys and 34.2% of left kidneys. The presence of reduced kidney size increased cortical echogenicity, and loss of corticomedullary differentiation was significantly associated with mortality.
Conclusion: Ultrasound measurements of renal length in our CKD patients were mostly within normal limits, but smaller kidneys, increased cortical echogenicity, and loss of corticomedullary differentiation were significantly associated with higher mortality.
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