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Pyonephrosis ultrasound

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

Overview

Overview

Ultrasound is easily available and cost-effective imaging modality that can be used at the bedside in the emergency setting. Ultrasound features in pyonephrosis include dilated pelvicalyceal system, echogenic debris, fluid-fluid levels in the collecting system. Ultrasound has high specificity but low sensitivity for diagnosing pyonephrosis.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is an easily available, cost-effective imaging modality that can be used at the bedside in the emergency setting.

Ultrasound features in pyonephrosis include[1]:

  • Dilated pelvicalyceal system
  • Echogenic debris
  • Fluid-fluid levels in the collecting system
  • Dirty echoes of gas

Due to high specificity (100%) for diagnosing pyonephrosis by ultrasound but low sensitivity (62%), patients with sepsis and significant hydronephrosis should have sonographically guided percutaneous needle aspiration to confirm the diagnosis.[2][3]

References

References

  1. Tamburrini S, Lugarà M, Iannuzzi M, Cesaro E, De Simone F, Del Biondo D; et al. (2021). “Pyonephrosis Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Features: A Pictorial Review”. Diagnostics (Basel). 11 (2). doi:10.3390/diagnostics11020331. PMC 7921924 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 33671431 Check |pmid= value (help).
  2. Jeffrey RB, Laing FC, Wing VW, Hoddick W (1985). “Sensitivity of sonography in pyonephrosis: a reevaluation”. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 144 (1): 71–3. doi:10.2214/ajr.144.1.71. PMID 3880629.
  3. Schneider K, Helmig FJ, Eife R, Belohradsky BH, Kohn MM, Devens K; et al. (1989). “Pyonephrosis in childhood–is ultrasound sufficient for diagnosis?”. Pediatr Radiol. 19 (5): 302–7. doi:10.1007/BF02467298. PMID 2666936.

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