Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 8, Issue 3 109-114, Copyright © 1989 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Sonography of the simple and complicated ipsilateral fused kidney
E. Lubat, M. Hernanz-Schulman, N. B. Genieser, M. M. Ambrosino and R. L. Teele
Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.
Anomalies of renal fusion and their sonographic findings can be
straightforward or quite complex. Sonograms of eight cases of simple and
complicated anomalies of renal fusion in pediatric patients are reviewed to
determine characteristic sonographic findings in such cases. The correct
diagnosis can be suspected by evaluation of the following parameters: (1)
the echoic texture of the renal "mass"; (2) the differential orientation of
the renal pelves; (3) the content of the contralateral renal fossa; (4) the
size of the ipsilateral kidney; (5) extension of the isthmus medially
anterior to the spine; and (6) presence of a deep anteroposterior notch.
Utilizing these parameters, a rationale for diagnosis and for selecting the
appropriate sequence of further studies is suggested.
