[Gray scale echotomography of the kidney: technique and anatomy (author's transl)]

The authors illustrate all the different scanning techniques for the kidney and review the normal anatomic patterns in every scanning plane. Using gray scale machines, high-frequency long focussed transducers and appropriate gain settings, it is possible to obtain well defined images, with high resolution; these allow to recognize the renal margins, the cortex, the medulla and the renal sinus structures. The large number of scanning planes, both longitudinal and transverse, allow a detailed evaluation of the normal renal anatomy, the relationships of the kidneys with the neighbouring structures (fasciae, ligaments, fat and vessels) and organs (liver, adrenals, spleen and pancreas) are well recognized. The authors systematically introduce the different echotomographic aspects of the normal kidney. Echotomography can also inform about the renal position and size.