Prospective evaluation of the alterations in the morphology and vascular resistance of the renal parenchyma with color Doppler ultrasonography after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the kidneys with color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) to determine whether percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) causes renal parenchymal damage. Patients and Methods: In 24 patients who underwent unilateral PNL with single renal pole access, cortical thickness, echogenicity, and resistive index (RI) were measured in each pole of the operated and contralateral kidney separately before and at postoperative day (POD) 1, and at 3, 6, and 12 months after PNL. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.67 ± 14.68 years. The serum creatinine level increased significantly immediately after PNL but diminished to the preoperative level at POD 1. Changes in serum blood urea nitrogen and electrolyte levels were insignificant. Mean cortical thickness increased significantly in the access pole and contralateral kidney and insignificantly in the nonaffected pole. No statistically significant change was recorded in parenchymal echogenicitiy. Statistically significant differences in cortical thickness...