Relationship between kidney volume and body indexes in the Turkish population determined using ultrasonography

To estimate the kidney volume of the healthy Turkish population using ultrasound and to evaluate the relationship between kidney volume and body indexes.

Kidney ultrasound evaluation was performed on 152 patients (mean age: 42 ± 13.7 years). Kidney length, width and thickness were measured using ultrasound. Mean total and parenchymal volume were also calculated. Patients' age, sex, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m²) were recorded.

According to ultrasound, kidney lengths were 10.3 ± 7.8 cm for the right and 10.4 ± 9 cm for the left. Volumes were 158 ± 39 cm3 for the right and 168 ± 40 cm3 for the left. Volumes in women were 151.8 ± 39 cm3 for the right and 159.8 ± 37 cm3 for the left, and 164.3 ± 38 cm3 for the right and 175.8 ± 41 cm3 for the left in men. Kidney measurements correlated with body height and weight. A strong correlation with total kidney volume and kidney measurements was determined for body weight for both kidneys (p<0.001). A significant correlation with kidney volume and width was determined for both kidneys (p<0.001). A positive correlation was also found between parenchymal and total kidney volume for both kidneys (p<0.001).

The most significant factors associated with kidney volume for both kidneys in the Turkish population are kidney width and body weight. Measuring kidney volume with ultrasound is a feasible modality and is widely available for daily clinical practice.