Comparison of Renal Length Measurement between Ultrasonography and Intravenous Pyelography (IVP)

Abstract

Background: Renal length is important parameter in the diagnosis and treatment of renal disease. Ultrasound and intravenous pyelography (IVP) are the common imaging methods for evaluating the urinary tract system in Chaiyaphum hospital. 

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the renal length obtained from ultrasound with the length obtained from IVP.

Materials and Methods: Retrospectively reviewed from June 2012 to December 2014 was performed identifying 352 patients who underwent both renal ultrasound and IVP within 2 weeks of one another. Data of renal length from 630 kidneys were reviews. Ultrasound renal length measurements were compared with IVP measurements. 

Results: The mean renal length in ultrasound of the right and left kidneys were 10.3±1.36 cm and 10.4±1.26 cm, respectively. The mean renal length in IVP studies of the right and left kidneys were 11.6±1.43 cm and 11.9±1.52 cm, respectively. The mean difference in the estimated size by ultrasound and IVP was significant (1.1±0.9 cm and 1.3±0.9 cm for the right and left kidneys, respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The average size of both kidneys determined in IVP was larger than in ultrasound. Normal kidney size in IVP could be small size in ultrasound which has been extensively studied and specific normal cut off value. Additional ultrasound in case of lower normal limits of renal length in IVP could be advantage.