Cyst-to-kidney volume ratio in the sonographic diagnosis of unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney in children.

AIMS: To evaluate the usefulness of the cyst-to-kidney volume ratio determined by ultrasonography (US) in unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study group included 21 children (average age: 431 days) with unilateral MCDK and 22 children (average age: 440 days) with unilateral grade IV hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction as the control group. All the children underwent transabdominal US. In children with MCDK, we calculated cyst-to-kidney volume ratios (volume of the largest cyst/volume of the MCDK) and in the control group the volume ratios of the renal pelvis and the largest calyx (volume of the pelvis or largest calyx/volume of the ipsilateral hydronephrotic kidney). Ellipsoid formula was used to calculate kidney and pelvis volumes. Sphere volume formula was used to calculate the largest cyst and calyx volumes.

RESULTS: The mean cyst-to-kidney volume ratio (0.38±0.21) was significantly higher than the mean volume ratios of the renal pelvises (0.10±0.05) and the largest calyces (0.04±0.02) (p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between cyst-to-kidney volume ratio and the ages of the children (r=0.141, p=0.541).

CONCLUSIONS:  With the aid of both the qualitative sonographic criteria and the newer data that we have proposed, US is a useful tool in the initial diagnosis of MCDK and for differentiation of MCDKs from grade IV hydronephrotic kidneys in children. The cyst-tokidney volume ratio is independent of age and thus, it can be helpful in the diagnosis of unilateral MCDK at any age.