title: Radiological findings and the clinical importance of megacalycosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the radiological findings and the clinical importance of megacalycosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of a case report and literature review, diagnostic criteria and clinical significance of megacalycosis are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Megacalycosis is mostly asymptomatic and is usually discovered either accidentally or as a result of its complications, such as stone formation, flank pain, hematuria, infection, and fever. The renal pelvis, infundibulum, and ureter are not dilated. Calyces have a semilunar configuration rather than the conventional triangular or conical form. The tip of each pyramid is flat, and the calyces possess neither fornix nor papillae impressions. The number of calyces is increased compared to the healthy condition, typically from 20-25. The renal parenchyma has a normal width but with a slight narrowing of the renal medulla. The kidney exhibits normal function, in particular with respect to its ability to concentrate the urine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Megacalycosis is a rare, usually unilateral dilatation of the kidney calyces in the presence of a normal, undilated renal pelvis and ureter. Its pathological significance lies in the occurrence of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalaitzis
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patris
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deligeorgiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, General Hospital of Veria, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sountoulides
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, General Hospital of Evros, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bantis
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Stilianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Touloupidis
keywords: calyx dilatation; megacalycose; megacalycosis; stone formation