Hyperechoic medulla of the kidneys.
Eighteen patients were identified in whom ultrasound (US) of the kidney demonstrated a hyperechoic medulla. Diagnoses in the patients included gout in seven; Sjögren syndrome in two; medullary sponge kidney in two; primary aldosteronism in two; and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, glycogen storage disease type XI, Wilson disease, and pseudo-Bartter syndrome in one each. The pathogenesis of the echogenicity was evaluated by comparing the findings from computed tomography and conventional radiography. It appears that a hyperechoic medulla is caused by hyperuricemia, medullary nephrocalcinosis, or hypokalemia. US is considered to be useful in evaluating renal involvement in patients with these diseases.
Toyoda
K
K
Department of Radiology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Miyamoto
Y
Y
Ida
M
M
Tada
S
S
Utsunomiya
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007679:Kidney Medulla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography