Role of Ultrasound in Diagnosing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Background: Ultrasonography is a noninvasive and cost-effective diagnostic tool that provides detailed anatomical information crucial for diagnosing renal diseases. It avoids radiation and contrast exposure, making it preferable over traditional radiography both domestically and internationally. These advantages facilitate early detection and enable accurate prediction of abnormal renal function tests, aiding in timely therapeutic decision-making. Objective: Our objective was to explore the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This study, conducted between 2021 and 2022, employed a retrospective cross-sectional design within the ultrasound department of a Tertiary Hospital. The study involved 200 CKD patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of < 60 ml/min. Serum creatinine estimation was performed alongside blood tests on the same day as ultrasonography, which assessed echogenicity, parenchymal thickness, cortical thickness, and longitudinal length. All gathered data were recorded in the pro forma. Results: The patient cohort had an average age of 54.62±13.3 years. Mean serum creatinine showed significant variance across echogenicity grades (p=0.0005). Comparable trends were observed for mean parenchymal thickness (p=0.0005), mean longitudinal length (p=0.0005), and mean corticomedullary distinction (p=0.0005). A statistically significant highly positive correlation emerged between serum creatinine and cortical echogenicity grading (r=0.915, p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Renal cortical echogenicity, particularly its grading, exhibited the most substantial correlation with serum creatinine among various sonographic parameters like longitudinal length, parenchymal thickness, and cortical thickness in CKD patients. As renal cortical echogenicity's irreversible nature contrasts with serum creatinine levels, it stands as a viable parameter for renal function assessment.