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Updated: May 26, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Morphological aspects of the kidney: can normality be predicted?
1Center of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania. drsurcel@gmail.com
This study found that body mass index (BMI), male gender, and height are key factors influencing kidney size (craniocaudal diameter, cortical width, and parenchymal width). Kidney position also affects renal size, while contralateral kidney absence impacts renal cortex size.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Urology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Normal renal parenchyma and upper urinary tract parameters are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Establishing normative data aids in identifying renal abnormalities.
- Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is a standard imaging modality for renal assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess normal renal parenchyma and upper urinary tract parameters using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT).
- To develop a mathematical model for normal kidney dimensions.
- To identify factors influencing renal size and morphology.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of 520 patients with normal CECT scans.
- Detailed measurements of renal dimensions (craniocaudal diameter, transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter), parenchymal width, cortical width, and kidney rotation were performed.
- Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify influencing factors such as BMI, gender, and height.
Main Results:
- Craniocaudal diameter (CCD) remained elevated until the fifth decade.
- Linear correlations were observed between height and renal dimensions (CCD, cortical width, parenchymal width).
- Body Mass Index (BMI), male gender, and height were statistically significant factors influencing renal size (CCD, cortical width, parenchymal width).
Conclusions:
- Kidney size exhibits a wide range among individuals.
- BMI, male gender, and height are the most significant factors influencing renal dimensions in adults.
- Kidney position and the absence of a contralateral kidney also impact renal size and cortical dimensions.
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