Sonographic evaluation of kidneys undergoing dialysis.

Sonograms in 205 patients undergoing dialysis were obtained to evaluate renal features according to duration of treatment. Both length and parenchymal thickness had gradually decreased in kidneys treated for less than 3 years. After the 3rd year of treatment, an apparent increase in the incidence of cysts was seen. Forty-three cases of acquired cystic disease, including 1 case with renal cell carcinoma, were detected. All kidneys had increased cortical echogenicity, with prominence first occurring after 7 years of dialysis. In patients undergoing dialysis for less than 3 years, those with diabetic nephropathy showed fewer changes from normal appearances than patients undergoing dialysis for treatment of glomerulonephritis.