[CME Sonography 99/Answers: Kidney Echo Changes]

CME Sonography 99/Answers: Kidney Echo Changes Abstract. Normal kidneys have a smooth contour, kidney length 9-12 cm, volume 90-180 ml/1.73 m2 body surface, parenchyma width 13-18 mm and an echogenicity of the cortex which is hypoechoic compared to the liver and spleen, as well as medullary pyramids, which are again hypoechoic compared to the cortex. Digital ultrasound images enable the echogenicity to be measured between 0 (black) and 255 (white). A normal quotient between the echogenicity of the liver and the renal cortex is 1.0-1.4. A normal quotient between the spleen and the renal cortex is> 1.0. The normal quotient between the renal cortex and the renal medulla is> 1.0. In diffuse renal parenchyma diseases, changes in echogenicity are observed. There are kidneys with increased echogenicity of the cortex and a ratio to liver and spleen of <1.0 and kidneys with hyperechoic renal medulla and the ratio between renal cortex and renal medulla <1.0.