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The association between perirenal fat volume and nephrolithiasis: A Bloemfontein study
Jozanne Voigt1, Eugene Loggenberg1, Mari Wentzel1
1Department of Clinical Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Increased perirenal fat volume (PFV) is significantly associated with kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) in South Africans. This finding suggests PFV may serve as a future radiological marker for assessing nephrolithiasis risk.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Radiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Nephrolithiasis represents a substantial global health challenge.
- Previous research suggests a link between perirenal fat volume (PFV) and nephrolithiasis, potentially influenced by sex-based fat distribution.
- This association remained unexplored in the South African population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between perirenal fat volume (PFV) and nephrolithiasis within the South African context.
- To compare PFV in stone-bearing kidneys versus non-stone-bearing kidneys within the same individuals.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Universitas Academic Hospital, South Africa.
- Non-contrasted computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen were used to manually calculate PFV.
- The PFV difference between kidneys was analyzed using the Signed-Rank test for paired data.
Main Results:
- A total of 140 patients (91 males, 49 females) were included in the study.
- The perirenal fat volume (PFV) surrounding the kidney with stones was statistically significantly higher than that of the contralateral kidney (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- This study establishes the first evidence in South Africa of a significant association between perirenal fat volume (PFV) and unilateral nephrolithiasis.
- PFV may be a valuable, simpler radiological marker for future nephrolithiasis risk assessment in South African clinical practice.
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