       Document 0669
 DOCN  M9610669
 TI    Pelvocalyceal thickening in HIV-associated nephropathy.
 DT    9601
 AU    Wachsberg RH; Obolevich AT; Lasker N; Department of Radiology,
       University Hospital, Newark, NJ 07103,; USA.
 SO    Abdom Imaging. 1995 Jul-Aug;20(4):371-5. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96045046
 AB    BACKGROUND: Previously reported causes of renal pelvocalyceal thickening
       (PCT) include infection, acute tubular necrosis and obstruction. This
       study was performed to evaluate the significance of PCT noted
       sonographically in patients with hyperechoic native kidneys. METHODS: We
       evaluated sonograms of 178 consecutive patients with hyperechoic native
       (excluding small and hydronephrotic) kidneys for the presence of PCT,
       and reviewed medical charts of patients with this finding. We also
       reviewed sonograms of two control groups: 20 consecutive patients with
       nephrosis unrelated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who
       underwent renal biopsy, and 30 consecutive patients with severe
       hypoalbuminemia unrelated to kidney disease. RESULTS: PCT was observed
       in 20 study patients with hyperechoic kidneys. HIV-associated
       nephropathy (HIVAN) was diagnosed in 15 patients (14 with bilateral PCT)
       in whom previously reported causes of this appearance were excluded. PCT
       was not observed in control patients. CONCLUSION: Renal PCT can occur in
       patients with HIVAN in the absence of HIV-related complications. PCT in
       HIVAN does not merely reflect nonspecific nephrosis or hypoalbuminemia.
       HIVAN should be considered if PCT is noted sonographically in
       hyperechoic kidneys, even in patients not clinically suspected of
       harboring HIV infection.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Aged  AIDS-Associated
       Nephropathy/PATHOLOGY/*ULTRASONOGRAPHY  Case-Control Studies  Child
       Child, Preschool  Creatinine/BLOOD  Female  Glomerulosclerosis,
       Focal/PATHOLOGY/ULTRASONOGRAPHY  Human  Hypertrophy  Kidney
       Calices/PATHOLOGY/*ULTRASONOGRAPHY  Kidney
       Pelvis/PATHOLOGY/*ULTRASONOGRAPHY  Male  Middle Age
       Nephritis/PATHOLOGY/ULTRASONOGRAPHY  Nephrosis/PATHOLOGY/ULTRASONOGRAPHY
       Nephrotic Syndrome/PATHOLOGY/ULTRASONOGRAPHY  Prospective Studies
       Proteinuria/URINE  Retrospective Studies  Risk Factors  Serum
       Albumin/ANALYSIS  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

