Visualization of the renal fascia: a normal finding in urography

A previous study indicated that visualization of renal fascia adjacent to radiographically normal kidneys may suggest undetected renal disease. To determine the clinical significance of visualized renal fascia during excretory urography of radiographically normal kidneys, 110 normal excretory urograms were analyzed prospectively. Renal fascia was seen in 23 cases (21%). It was usually identified in short segments; average thickness of visualized fascia was 1.5 mm. The renal fascia was identified with anteroposterior nephrotomography in 17 (74%) of 23 cases. It is known that retroperitoneal inflammation or neoplasia may thicken the renal fascia but the visibility of this structure in patients without renal or retroperitoneal abnormalities has not been emphasized. Visualization of renal fascia adjacent to kidneys judged radiographically normal should not imply unrecognized renal pathology.