Increased renal parenchymal echogenicity: causes in pediatric patients

The authors discuss some of the diseases that cause increased echogenicity of the renal parenchyma on sonograms in children. The illustrated cases include patients with more common diseases, such as nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis, and those with rarer diseases, such as oculocerebrorenal syndrome. Hyperechogenicity is a nonspecific finding but a significant one in that it suggests the presence of renal abnormalities. When it is demonstrated, further investigation is usually warranted.