Ultrasound in Acute Kidney Disease

Contrib Nephrol. 2016:188:11-20. doi: 10.1159/000445461. Epub 2016 May 12.

Abstract

Kidneys' imaging provides useful information in acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis and management. Today, several imaging techniques give information on kidneys anatomy, urinary obstruction, differential diagnosis between AKI and chronic kidney disease (CKD), renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive and repeatable imaging technique so it is widely used in the first level work-up of AKI. The utility of contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in AKI or in AKI during CKD is limited because of renal toxicity associated with contrast agents used.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Safety
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / trends