Radiographic Assessement of renal size in adults

Abstract

A radiographic method of assessing renal size in adults is presented by an analysis of 230 patients with normal renal function as judged by Intravenous Urogram and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). The long axes of the kidneys are correlated with the height of the lumbar spine from. the superior margin of the first lumbar vertebral body to the lower margin of the body of the third lumber including the intervening intervertebral spaces. The findings are analysed statistically and discussed. This height of the lumbar spine column is shown to be a good parameter to relate to renal length in adults. A normal renal length is greater than the height of the lumbar spine by up to a maximum of 35 mm. and almost always, never less than the lumbar spine segment.