Hypoaldosteronism echocardiography or ultrasound

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Akshun Kalia M.B.B.S.[2]

There are no specific findings of hypoaldosteronism on ultrasound. However, ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of hypoaldosteronism from disorders of renal or adrenal glands. Chronic kidney disease is an important cause of hypoaldosteronism and on ultrasound presents with reduced renal length, reduced renal cortical thickness, poor visibility of the renal pyramids and the renal sinus. Hypoaldosteronism from adrenal insufficiency may present with irregularly shrunken adrenal glands, adrenal nodules, and signs of calcium deposits.

There are no specific findings of hypoaldosteronism on ultrasound. However, ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of hypoaldosteronism from disorders of renal or adrenal glands.^[1][2]

• Hypoaldosteronism from chronic kidney disease may show the following features on ultrasound:
  • Reduced renal length
  • Reduced renal cortical thickness
  • Increased renal cortical echogenicity
  • Poor visibility of the renal pyramids and the renal sinus
  • Renal marginal irregularities
  • Renal papillary calcifications
  • Renal cysts

• Hypoaldosteronism due to adrenal disorders may present with following findings on ultrasound:
  • Irregularly shrunken adrenal glands
  • Adrenal nodules
  • Signs of calcium deposits

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