[Use of ultrasound for evaluating structural changes of the renal parenchyma in chronic primary glomerulopathies]

Ultrasound was used to measure echogenesis, renal cortex thickness and kidney length in 59 patients with various types of the primary glomerulonephritis. The obtained results have shown that the measured parameters correlated with the progress in renal failure. An increase in the intensity of echo from the cortex, thinning of the renal cortex, and the decrease in renal length are typical signs of the advancement of renal failure. As renal function deteriorates in the consequence of destruction of its parenchyma, ultrasound examination might be an illustration of the pathological changes in the kidney. Considering the fact that ultrasound is perfectly safe, it may be used in monitoring of the disease progress and the results of treatment.