• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.58.1-58.11
• /
• 2020

Background: Quantitative evaluation of renal cortical echogenicity (RCE) has been tried and developed in human and veterinary medicine. Objectives: The objective of this study was to propose a method for evaluating RCE quantitatively and intuitively, and to determine associations between ultrasonographic renal structural distinction and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in canine chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Data were collected on 63 dogs, including 27 with normal kidney function and 36 CKD patients. Symmetric dimethylarginine and creatinine concentrations were measured for calculating eGFR. RCE was evaluated as 3 grades on ultrasonography images according to the distinction between the renal cortex and outer medulla. The RCE grade of each kidney was measured. Results: There was a significant difference in eGFR between the group normal and CKD (p < 0.001). As mean of RCE grades (the mean values of each right and left kidney's RCE grade) increases, the proportion of group CKD among the patients in each grade increases (p < 0.001). Also, severity of RCE (classified as "high" if any right or left kidney evaluated as RCE grade 3, "low" otherwise) and eGFR is good indicator for predicting group CKD (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The degree of distinction between the renal cortex and the outer medulla is closely related to renal function including eGFR and the RCE grade defined in this study can be used as a method of objectively evaluating RCE.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.53-57
• /
• 2019

Renal cortical necrosis (RCN) is patchy or diffuse ischemic destruction of the renal cortex caused by significantly reduced renal arterial perfusion. It is a rare cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) and is associated with high mortality. Here, we review the case of RCN in a 15-year-old boy who developed AKI. A 15-year-old boy was referred to our hospital from a local hospital due to a sharp decrease in his renal function. He presented with acute flank pain, nausea with vomiting, and oliguria for the past two days. He had taken a single dose of antihistamine for nasal congestion. At our hospital, his peak blood pressure was 148/83 mmHg and he had a high body mass index of $32.9kg/m^2$. The laboratory data showed a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 28.4 mg/dL, a creatinine of 4.26 mg/dL, and a glomerular filtration rate estimated from the serum cystatin C of $20.2mL/min/1.73m^2$. Proteinuria (spot urine protein to creatinine ratio 1.66) with pyuria was observed. Kidney sonography showed parenchymal swelling and increased renal echogenicity. Due to rapidly progressing nephritis, steroid pulse therapy (750 mg/IV) was done on the second day of his admission and the patient showed complete recovery with normal renal function. However, the kidney biopsy findings revealed renal cortical hemorrhagic necrosis. Multifocal, relatively well-circumscribed, hemorrhagic necrotic areas (about 25%) were detected in the tubulointerstitium. Although RCN is an unusual cause of AKI, especially in children, pediatricians should consider the possibility of RCN when evaluating patients with rapidly decreasing renal function.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 1998

This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the prognostic value and histologic correlation of sonography in childhood nephrotic syndrome. Sixty-nine patients with proteinuria over 2g per day at the time of presentation who were treated at the Korea University Hospital were included in this review. They were 1 to 15 years old(mean age, 7.8 years) with 49 males and 20 females. In each patient an ultrasound examination was done using SPA 1000(Diasonics, C.A., U.S.A.) on admission. Tissue specimens were obtained from 46 patients. The paraffin-embedded specimens were reviewed with special reference to interstitial edema, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, global sclerosis or inflammatory cell infiltrates. Biopsy proven renal disease were minimal change disease(n=20), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(n=7), membranous glomerulonephritis(n=2), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(n=1), $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura nephritis(n=6), IgA nephropathy(n=5), poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(n=2), systemic lupus erythematosus(n=1) and Alport syndrome(n=2). There was a significant relationship between increased cortical echogenicity and global sclerosis or tubular atrophy(P<0.05). But no significant relationship was found between increased cortical echogenicity and interstitial fibrosis, interstitial edema, or inflammatory cell infiltration. In biopsy-proven primary nephrotic syndrome(n=30), no significant relationship was found between the increased conical echogenicity and the interstitial edema, interstitial fibrosis, global sclerosis, tubular atrophy or inflammatory cell infiltration. But there was a significant relationship between increased cortical echogenicity and resistance to corticosteroid (P<0.05). These results suggest that increased cortical echogenicity may be due to tubular atrophy or global sclerosis in patients with proteinuria and may be an effective indicator of resistance to corticosteroid in primary nephrotic syndrome.(J Korean Soc of Pediatr Nephrol 2:26-33, 1998)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2015

Introduction: This study investigated whether renal and bladder ultrasonography (RBUS) findings performed in children with the first incidence of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) can predict UTI recurrence, high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (high-grade VUR), or acquired renal scarring (aRS). Methods: In all, 917 children who were admitted to our hospital from January 2001 to October 2010, owing to the first incidence of febrile UTI were enrolled in this study. All children underwent RBUS during admission. The mean follow-up was 7.9 months (standard deviation $[SD]{\pm}13.3$). UTI recurrence rates were calculated according to various clinical parameters. By using bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, we determined whether age, sex, abnormal RBUS findings, abnormal dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scan findings, or RBUS findings parameters were predictive of UTI recurrence, high-grade VUR, or aRS. Results: On RBUS, hydronephrosis and congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract significantly predicted UTI recurrence. A small kidney, hydroureter, hydronephrosis, cortical thinning, and increased parenchymal echogenicity significantly predicted high-grade VUR. However, their odds ratios (OR) are low compared to normal RBUS findings (recurrent UTI: OR 0.432 and 0.354 vs. 0.934, respectively, high-grade VUR: .019, 0.329, 0.126, 0.058, and 0.188 vs. 2.082, respectively). No RBUS findings significantly predicted aRS. Recurrent UTI, high-grade VUR, and abnormal RBUS findings significantly predicted aRS (OR of 4.80, 4.61, and 2.58, respectively). Conclusion: RBUS is necessary to exclude severe congenital renal scarring, obstructive uropathy, and renal abscess at the first incidence of febrile UTI and is helpful in determining the need for subsequent clinical imaging.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the renal ultrasonographic findings in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 83 patients who were diagnosed with VUR and underwent ultrasonography at Ilsan hospital between January 2000 and December 2010. Results: Among 166 renal units, 108 (65.0%) were found to have vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Fifty-one (73.9%) had VUR in renal units with abnormal ultrasonography (USG), whereas 57 (58.7%) had VUR in renal units with normal USG. Abnormal USG findings were independent risk factors for VUR (Odds ratio, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.01-3.89; $P$=0.045). In renal units with VUR, the number of normal USG finding was 52.8%, and the abnormal findings were as follows; increased cortical echogenicity 16.7%, hydronephrosis 17.6%, megaureter or ureter dilatation 8.3%, hydronephrosis and ureter dilatation 1.9%, duplication of ureter 1.9%, and atrophic kidney 0.9%. The prevalence of VUR was relatively higher in renal units with hydronephrosis (23/19, 82.6%), ureter dilatation (9/9, 100%), duplication of ureter (2/3, 66.6%), and atrophic kidney (1/1, 100%). Conclusion: Our study indicates that VUR was associated with abnormal USG findings. When there are abnormal USG findings such as hydronephrosis, ureter dilatation, duplication of ureter, and atrophic kidney in children with UTI, VCUG is recommended to detect VUR after controlling UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.229-238
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This study was perfonned to elucidate the clinical pictures of acute focal bacterial nephritis(nephronia) in children. Methods: We reviewed 9 children with nephronia diagnosed by ultrasonography or computed tomography of kidneys from September 1994 to August 2004. Results: The overall male to female ratio was 2:1, and the age distribution ranged from 0.1 to 6 years(mean $2.8{\pm}2.2$). The cardinal symptoms were fever, chills, abdominal pain and dysuria/frequency. The initial leukocyte count was $21,000{\pm}5,600/uL$, ESR $60{\pm}23mm/hr$, CRP $17{\pm}10\;mg/dl$. Pyuria was noted in every patient and persisted for $10.5{\pm}7.8$ days after antimicrobial treatment. Abdominal sonography demonstrated focal lesion of ill-defined margin and low echogenicity in 5 of 9 patients(55.6%), while computed tomography revealed nonenhancing low density area in all patients(100%). Three of 9 patients(33.3%) had vesicoureteral reflux, greater than grade III. The initial $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ scan showed one or multiple cortical defects in every patient, and improvements were noted in 2(33.3%) of 6 patients who received follow up scan after 4 months. Intravenous antibiotics was given in every patient under admission. Total febrile period was $11.8{\pm}6.3$ days(pre-admission, $4.0{\pm}3.0;$ post-admission, $7.8{\pm}5.5$ days) and the patients needed hospitalization for $17.2{\pm}8.1$ days. Conclusion: For the early diagnosis of 'acute focal bacterial nephritis' we should perform renal computed tomography first rather than ultrasonography, when the child has toxic symptoms and severe inflammatory responses in blood and urine.