Sonographic findings of fetuses with an empty renal fossa and normal amniotic fluid volume.
OBJECTIVE
To review the antenatal sonographic findings and postnatal follow-up of fetuses with empty renal fossa (ERF) and normal amniotic fluid volume.


METHODS
Sonographic examinations of 13,705 fetuses were retrospectively analyzed and all fetuses with at least one ERF and normal antenatal amniotic fluid volume were included in this study.


RESULTS
Forty cases with antenatal ERF were diagnosed. Prenatal diagnosis consisted of pelvic kidney (n = 24), unilateral renal agenesis (n = 13), horseshoe kidney (n = 2) and crossed fused renal ectopia (n = 1). The prevalence of ERF in the low-risk population approximated 3.2 per thousand. There was no serious renal complication during a mean follow-up period of 30 months except one case of crossed fused renal ectopia requiring hemodialysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The underlying cause of ERF in the majority of cases with normal amniotic fluid volume is renal ectopia. Prenatal ultrasonography seems to be highly reliable in diagnosing these anomalies. Prognosis is favorable in the absence of additional extraurinary malformations.
Yuksel
Atil
A
PREMED (Tertiary Referral Center for Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy), Istanbul, Turkey.
Batukan
Cem
C
D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal