A 55-year-old man on ICU has renal USS showing bilateral small kidneys (8 cm each) with thinned cortex and increased echogenicity. He has AKI. What do...

Question

A 55-year-old man on ICU has renal USS showing bilateral small kidneys (8 cm each) with thinned cortex and increased echogenicity. He has AKI. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Pre-existing chronic kidney disease - small, echogenic kidneys with thinned cortex indicate chronic parenchymal damage; the acute insult is superimposed on CKD (acute-on-chronic), with lower likelihood of full renal recovery

Answer

Pure AKI

Answer

Renal cell carcinoma

Answer

Hydronephrosis

Answer

Normal ultrasound

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

A 55-year-old man on ICU has renal USS showing bilateral small kidneys (8 cm each) with thinned cortex and increased echogenicity. He has AKI. What does this suggest?