Asymmetric renal enlargement in acute glomerulonephritis

Three children presented with unilateral and asymmetric renal enlargement and clinical and laboratory evidence of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. This asymmetry resolved at the same time as the nephritis. Angiographic evidence of absence of renal artery stenosis was available in one case. Angiography was not performed in the other 2 cases. The authors suggest that the differential diagnosis of unilateral acute renal inflammation (swelling of the kidney, prolonged nephrogram, calyceal distortion, poor concentration of contrast medium) should include acute glomerulonephritis. Extensive radiological evaluation is probably not necessary unless asymmetry persists.