Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
03:19
Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Sonographic long-term study: paediatric growth charts for single kidneys
E M Spira1, C Jacobi, A Frankenschmidt
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Mathildenstrasse 1, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 24, 2009
Summary
Children with a single kidney generally have a good prognosis, with adequate growth and function. However, pathological sonomorphology may indicate chronic kidney disease, proteinuria, and short stature.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Medical Imaging
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- A single kidney, whether solitary or with a non-functioning contralateral kidney, presents unique clinical considerations in pediatric patients.
- Understanding the long-term outcomes and sonomorphological characteristics is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical course of children with a single kidney.
- To correlate renal function (GFR, proteinuria), growth, and sonomorphological features.
- To establish reference centiles for assessing renal size in pediatric single kidneys.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective monocentric study of 119 children with a single kidney (1997-2007).
- Median follow-up of 6.3 years with at least three renal ultrasounds.
- Separate analysis of six patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III or worse.
Main Results:
- Common etiologies included multicystic dysplastic kidney, tumor nephrectomy, and renal agenesis.
- Single kidneys showed normal size and adequate growth, with compensatory hypertrophy in one-third of patients.
- Six patients with CKD (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m²) exhibited pathological sonomorphology, inadequate growth, abnormal echogenicity, and associated proteinuria and short stature.
Conclusions:
- New reference centiles for pediatric single kidney size were generated for improved patient and parent counseling.
- Evidence supports a generally benign clinical course for children with a single kidney, provided there is no additional pathology in the remnant kidney.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) StudiesKidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) studies are standard diagnostic imaging procedures used to assess the anatomy of the urinary system. They are commonly utilized for patients experiencing abdominal pain or urinary symptoms. By using a simple X-ray of the abdomen, KUB studies can reveal structural and pathological abnormalities within the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These studies are particularly valuable in diagnosing kidney stones, urinary...
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
IntroductionUltrasonography, or renal ultrasound, is a noninvasive medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and surrounding tissues.Indications for Urinary System UltrasonographyUrinary system ultrasonography is indicated in various clinical scenarios, such as:Kidney Stones (Urolithiasis): To detect and monitor the size and presence of kidney or urinary tract stones.Hydronephrosis: To assess the dilation of the renal pelvis and...
01:21External Anatomy of the Kidney
The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs in the human body that play a critical role in maintaining overall health. They filter out waste products from the blood, regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance, and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
The kidneys are located in the retroperitoneal space on either side of the vertebral column, protected posteriorly by the 11th and 12th ribs. The right kidney sits slightly lower than the left owing to the presence of the liver...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
DefinitionComputed Tomography (CT) of the genitourinary (GU) tract is a non-invasive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adjacent structures such as the adrenal glands.PurposeCT scans of the GU tract serve several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Diseases: Detects kidney stones, tumors, cysts, and congenital...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
01:45Kidney Structure
The kidneys are two large bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdomen. They filter the blood several times a day to remove toxins and rebalance water and electrolytes of the circulatory system via the renal veins. The kidneys receive blood directly from the heart via the renal arteries. These arteries enter the kidney at the hilum, the concave surface of the bean, where they branch and divide into smaller vessels and capillaries.