1988 Volume 79 Issue 4 Pages 705-712
In order to evaluate original kidneys morphologically, ultrasoundtomography (USTG) and computed tomography (CT) were performed on 39 patients undergoing long term hemodialysis. The mean age of 39(26 male and 13 female) dialysis patients was 51.4 years. The duration of dialysis varied from 6 months to 15 years.
Renal cysts were detected in 35 of the 39 patiens (89.7%) by CT, and in 8 of 27 patients (34.8%) by USTG. There was a significant correlation between the size of cysts and the duration of hemodialysis.
Renal cysts with abnormal density were found in 4 patiens (10.3%) by CT, and dynamic CT was a useful technique to discrimate cysts with abnormal density from renal tumor.
Renal calcifications were found in 26 of 39 patients (66.7%) by CT, and in 8 of 23 patients (34.8%) by USTG. Likewise, there was a significant correlation between the grade of renal calcifications and the duration of hemodialysis, but there was no correlation between the grade of calcifications and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium (Ca).
Plasma renin activity (PRA) was increased with hemodialysis periods prolonged, and it was suggested that there was a relationship between the increase of PRA and the atrophy of renal parenchyma.
