Kidneys Flashcards
What is the layer of fibrous tissue that surrounds the kidney and adrenal gland?
Gerota’s fascia
What vessel is more anterior, Renal veins or renal arteries?
LRV followed by LRA then ureter is posterior
What abnormality is cause when the LRV is squished between the Ao and SMA?
Nutcracker phenomenon
Cortical extensions between renal pyramids are known as?
Columns or bertin
What is the fat containing area of the kidney?
Sinus
What is a normal kidney size?
10-12cm
Cortical thickness should be what measurement?
Greater than 1cm
What is known as a lateral cortical bulge of kidney tissue of the same echogenicity as the rest of the tissue?
Dromedary hump
What kidney variant = remnant due to incomplete fusion of the upper and lower poles?
Junctional defect - is triangular / wedge shaped and typically HYPERECHOIC
What is known as fatty infiltration of the kidney in the 6-7th decade in Obese patients?
A) Nephrocalcinosis
B) Medullary sponge kidney
C) Renal sinus lipomatosis
D) Nephrolithiasis
Renal sinus lipomatosis
If you suspect an extra renal pelvis, what steps should you take to prove vs dilated ureter?
- Image in SAG and TRV and measure
- Show with color
- Elongate to show it DOES NOT extend into the kidney
Where should you search for an ectopic kidney?
Pelvis
In horseshoe kidney, do the ureters pass anterior or posterior to the fused renal parenchyma?
Anterior
What are S/S of horseshoe kidney?
Palpable pulsatile abdominal mass
Hydro in pregnancy is quite common, in what kidney does this typically occur?
Rt side
If you see hydro in the kidney, what additional structure do you need to include in the exam?
Bladder and jets (rule out obstruction) - get patient to go pee and re-check kidneys to see if its due to hydration or not
Explain different grades of hydro:
Grade 1 (mild) - minimal separation of sinus echoes
Grade 2 (mild) - dilation of renal pelvis with some but not all calyces/medulla dilation
Grade 3 (moderate) - complete pelvocaliectasis
Grade 4 (severe) - Gross dilation of pelvis with cortical thinning <1cm
Symptoms of pyonephritis?
Hematuria and renal insufficiency
What type of Lithiasis is associated with UTI’s?
A) Calcium oxalate
B) Staghorn
C) Magnesium ammonium
D) Uric acid
Staghorn calculus - look for DENSE shadow posteriorly
Symptoms of nephrolithiasis?
Renal colic
N/V
Fever
Chills
Hematuria
How to look for kidney stones?
Take off cross beam
Look for posterior shadow
Use twinkle on CD
On ultrasound, you see many small echogenic foci in bilateral kidney throughout cortex with no shadowing. What is the most plausible diagnosis?
Cortical nephrocalcinosis - excess calcium deposits in cortex
What population are kidney stones most common?
Men aged 20-50
What pathology is described as echogenic renal pyramids with shadowing?
A)Kidney stones
B) Urolithiasis
C) Medullay nephrocalcinosis
D) Cortical nephrocalcinosis
Medullary nephrocalcinosis - associated with medullary sponge kidney
How to decipher parapelvic cyst VS hydro?
- Parapelvic cyst is well defined and round
- It does NOT extend into the renal pelvis when you turn on it
- It does not extend outside of the kidney