Factors associated with renal cortical echogenicity

• Published in: Ultrasound in medicine & biology Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 1151 - 1155
• Main Authors: Vehmas, Tapio, Kaukiainen, Ari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.08.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Blood Pressure; Case-Control Studies; Chemical Industry; Diastole; Epidemiology; Female; Humans; Kidney; Kidney Cortex - diagnostic imaging; Kidney Cortex - pathology; Linear Models; Lipids - blood; Liver Function Tests; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Screening; Sex Factors; Solvents - adverse effects; Spleen - diagnostic imaging; Spleen - pathology; Time Factors; Transaminases; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound; Screening; Transaminases; Blood pressure; Liver function tests; Occupational exposure; Epidemiology; Ultrasound; Kidney
• ISSN: 0301-5629; 1879-291X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2006.04.009

We studied the causes of renal cortical echogenicity (RCE). Its bilateral average value (AvRCE) and the left renal cortex/spleen echo ratios (RCSplE) were determined among 22 workers exposed to industrial solvents and 19 controls. Men had a higher AvRCE than women ( p = 0.006). Current exposure to solvents increased AvRCE ( p = 0.024), as did any exposure to aliphatic solvents ( p < 0.001). AvRCE had a significant negative correlation with liver transaminases AST, ALT and GGT and with serum triglycerides. RCSplE correlated positively with AST, ALT and GGT, with total serum cholesterol and with diastolic blood pressure. Besides renal structural changes, RCE may be influenced by renal flow effects and the presence of macromolecules in renal vessels and tubular systems. Incidentally-found altered RCE may warrant the workout of occupational exposure history and general medical investigation if no kidney disease is known to exist. (E-mail: tapio.vehmas@ttl.fi)