Sonographic accuracy in diffuse renal parenchymal diseases

Background: Sonography is a safe and simple method for diagnosis of diffuse renal parenchymal disease. Objective: To detect the accuracy and value of sonography in presence of diffuse renal parenchymal disease. Methods: Through a double blind study, ultrasound examination was carried out in 100 patients of nephrology wards of Shiraz hospitals during 1998 to 1999. According to sonographic findings, the patients were assessed for renal size, cortical echogenicity and appearance of renal pyraminds. Transcutaneus kidney biopsy was performed within 24 hours and according to pathological findings, the patents were divided into eleven different groups. Renal specimen were examined without any sonographic information. Findings: The findings revealed statistically meaningful correlation between renal cortical echogenicity and prominency of pyramids and glomerulosclerosis, crescent formation tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis or inflammation but no correlation with hypercellularity renal sonography for detection of diffuse renal parenchymal disease had 86% sensitivity, 57% specificity and 82% accuracy. Conclusion: Sonography is a useful diagnostic method for diagnosis of renal parenchymal disease however, it cannot be relied on regarding the type of microscopic changes or specific histological diagnosis.