Significance of echotomography in the diagnostic algorithm for acute pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis

Introduction: In adults the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis is primarily based on clinical and laboratory-biochemical testing. In patients where the clinical picture atypical, even if a person does not respond to therapy resorts to radiographic examination. Echotomographic examination is unavoidable in the diagnostic algorithm. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the individual echotomographic parameters, as well as to determine their diagnostic power in patients with acute infections (pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis), and comparing them with the appropriate reference tests. Materials and methods: We performed a cross sectional study in the period from October 2014. until May 2015. It included 50 patients with acute inflammation of the kidney which was made echotomographic examination of the abdomen and pelvis, within the Department of Radiological Diagnostics KBC 'Dragisa Misovic-Dedinje' in Belgrade. The echotomographic examination of the kidneys included testing of numerous parameters that could indicate the existence of an acute inflammation of the kidney. For the gold standard, we take the findings obtained by CT (computed tomography) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis, as well as histopathological findings obtained by fine needle bio-psy. Results: At 50 patients with acute inflammation of the upper urinary tract, 41 patients (82%) had acute pyelonephritis, and 9 (18%) had acute glomerulonephritis. In 70% of patients with acute pyelonephritis (29 people) were present enlargement of the kidney where the test sensitivity was 79.3% and specificity of 91.7%. The accuracy of the method was 82.9% when the monitored parameters: loss of central echo complex and cortico-medullary differentiation. The sensitivity of the test in which the observed thickening of the pelvic and ureteric wall was 65% and specificity of 90%. The analysis of the presence of calculus in renal parenchyma leads to the values of sensitivity test of 54.8% and specificity of 80%. Hypoechoic focus in the renal parenchyma, enlargement of the kidneys and loss corticomedullar limits are parameters who with great sensitivity and specificity suggest acute glomerulonephritis. Conclusion: On the basis of high values of sensitivity and specificity of the test survey estimates that ultrasound has a required place in the following diagnostics algorithm. The use of echotomography that offer the possibility of high resolutive views, as well as the wide availability and good reproducibility of the method, the low cost of inspection, in favor of the first exploration ultrasound examination. Multidetector CT scan and fine needle biopsy remains the method of choice for the definitive diagnosis.