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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
03:19
Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Gas in the kidney: CT findings
Orith Portnoy1, Sara Apter, Olga Koukoui
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, 52621, Israel. orith.portnoy@sheba.health.gov.il
Emergency Radiology
|April 14, 2007
Summary
Gas in the renal parenchyma, a rare finding on computed tomography (CT), has diverse causes. Radiologists must differentiate between life-threatening conditions and benign postoperative outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Gas within the renal parenchyma is an uncommon finding.
- Computed tomography (CT) is the optimal imaging modality for its detection.
- This finding can be associated with various clinical scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the differential diagnosis of gas in the renal parenchyma.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing this finding in emergency settings.
- To differentiate between emergent and non-emergent causes.
Main Methods:
- Review of computed tomography (CT) findings of renal parenchymal gas.
- Correlation with clinical presentations and outcomes.
- Literature review of associated conditions.
Main Results:
- Gas in the renal parenchyma can indicate severe conditions like emphysematous pyelonephritis.
- It may also be a non-emergent finding post-procedure (e.g., nephrostomy).
- Increasing CT utilization necessitates awareness of these differentials.
Conclusions:
- Radiologists must be vigilant for gas in the renal parenchyma on CT scans.
- Accurate differential diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient management.
- Distinguishing emergent from non-emergent causes impacts clinical decisions.
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