Measuring the kidneys-practical applications using a growth and hypertrophy chart.

A graphic and practical method for displaying renal growth utilizes a growth-hypertrophy chart. It is best suited for following renal growth on sequential intravenous urograms in patients with urinary tract infection, reflux and problems in which renal growth reflects the efficacy of therapy. The chart uses established standards for normal kidney length, and rates of growth and hypertrophy, and enables one to tell at a glance whether the renal growth is normal. Pitfalls both in the method of measuring the renal lengths and in the interpretation of the measurements are discussed.