A 55-year-old man on ICU has acute kidney injury. Renal ultrasound is performed to exclude obstruction. The USS shows bilateral small kidneys (8 cm ea...

Question

A 55-year-old man on ICU has acute kidney injury. Renal ultrasound is performed to exclude obstruction. The USS shows bilateral small kidneys (8 cm each, normal 10-12 cm) with thinned cortex and increased echogenicity. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) - small, echogenic kidneys with thinned cortex are features of chronicity indicating long-standing renal parenchymal disease; this patient likely has acute-on-chronic kidney injury, which affects prognosis and management (lower likelihood of renal recovery to baseline)

Answer

Acute kidney injury only

Answer

Renal cell carcinoma

Answer

Hydronephrosis

Answer

Normal renal ultrasound

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Renal USS in AKI - CKD Features

A 55-year-old man on ICU has acute kidney injury. Renal ultrasound is performed to exclude obstruction. The USS shows bilateral small kidneys (8 cm each, normal 10-12 cm) with thinned cortex and increased echogenicity. What does this suggest?