Kidney involvement in multisystem diseases: a review and key imaging findings

This iconographic essay focuses on the radiological evaluation of multisystemic diseases involving the kidneys, highlighting the diverse and often overlapping imaging features of these conditions. Owing to the rarity and nonspecific symptoms of many of these diseases, accurate diagnosis can be challenging, making early detection crucial for guiding appropriate management. The article organizes diseases into categories, including hereditary, neoplastic, and inflammatory or infectious conditions, with a particular emphasis on key imaging findings. This discussion is supported by a review of the anatomical spaces in the retroperitoneum which play a significant role in the assessment of renal pathologies. Various imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are integral to diagnosis and patient monitoring. Ultrasonography is commonly used as the first tool, whereas CT and MRI provide detailed insights into the anatomical relationships and characteristics of renal lesions. Radiologists are essential in interpreting these complex imaging findings, often proposing potential diagnoses and aiding treatment decisions. This article aims to enhance our understanding of the radiological features of multisystemic diseases, thereby facilitating improved diagnostic accuracy and patient management.