Renal sonography in long standing Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

The Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is an x-linked defect of purine metabolism resulting in its classical form in major neurodevelopmental abnormality, hyperuricaemia, and hyperuricosuria. Uric acid calculi and crystalluria are common. Allopurinol is the main method of reducing serum and urinary uric acid levels, but results in xanthinuria and oxypurinoluria, both of which may cause crystal nephropathy and calculi. The variable ultrasonic appearances of multiple calculi and increased medullary echogenicity in four cases of long-standing treated disease and the nature of the renal disorder, which is at least partially iatrogenic, are described.