Ultrasound assessment of normal renal dimensions

This study confirms the accuracy and reliability of sonographic assessment of renal dimensions when meticulous scanning techniques are employed. Sonographic renal dimensions are smaller than those obtained by radiography, since there is neither the geometric magnification nor the change in size related to an osmotic diuresis from iodinated contrast material. Sonographically, with patients in the prone position, the mean right renal length was 10.74 cm (+/- 1.35 SD) and the mean left renal length was 11.10 cm (+/- 1.15 SD). A prospective sample demonstrated the mean depth (ventral-dorsal dimension) to be approximately 4.5 cm when the transducer was angulated for the lie of the kidney.