Introduction: This study evaluates the pattern of renal ultrasonographic abnormalities in patients with sickle cell disease.
Methods: This was a prospective study where 100 stable (steady state) sickle cell patients aged between 15 and 60 years (mean ± standard deviation: 24 ± 8.7 years), comprising of 62 females and 38 males had renal ultrasound to assess the renal sizes (volume), blood flow velocity (resistive index) and pattern of renal echogenicity.
Results: The renal size and resistive index were higher in the study group as compared to controls with statistical significance. 33 kidneys (16.5%) had increased length, 111 kidneys (55.5%) had increased resistive index and 4 kidneys (2%) had abnormal echogenicity, with 2 kidneys having diffuse increase in renal parenchymal echogenicity with partial loss of corticomedullary differentiation (Grade 2), whilst another 2 kidneys had increase renal medullary echogenicity. Other findings documented include simple renal cysts in 6 kidneys (3%).
Conclusion: Renal ultrasound imaging of patients with sickle cell disease showed an increase in renal size and resistive index as compared to controls, with other renal abnormalities such as increase parenchymal / medullary echogenicity and cysts.
