Renal mobility in women attending a pyelonephritis clinic and in controls

The range of vertical renal mobility was established in a group of 129 healthy female subjects and compared with the range of mobility observed in 236 female patients attending a pyelonephritis clinic. The mobility was significantly greater on the right side in both groups and both kidneys moved significantly more in the patient group than in the controls. Excessive mobility could not be directly related to bacteriologically confirmed infection, renal pain or IVP abnormality. Nephroptosis remains an enigma and excessive renal mobility must not be interpreted in isolation.