Renal ultrasonic findings in sulphadiazine-induced renal failure

The increased incidence of cerebral toxoplasmosis in AIDS has led to a resurgence in the use of sulphadiazine. One complication of this is acute renal failure secondary to sulphadiazine-induced crystalluria. Three cases are described which demonstrate a spectrum of ultrasound findings ranging from echogenic foci in the renal parenchyma to echogenic material in both dilated and non-dilated collecting systems. In patients with AIDS having sulphadiazine treatment, these ultrasonic findings suggest that sulphadiazine is the cause of the renal failure.