ISSN 2320-5407

International Journal of Advanced Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue 9, 555 - 564

Journal homepage: http://www.journalijar.com

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL
OF ADVANCED RESEARCH

RESEARCH ARTICLE

SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF KIDNEYS IN DOGS WITH ACUTE AND

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Jeyaraja, K.1, Hamsa Yamini, S.2 and Thirunavukkarasu, P.S.3
1. Associate Professor, Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal
Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu India.
2. Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary
and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
3. Professor and Head, Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal
Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Manuscript Info

Abstract

Manuscript History:

The objective of the present study is to sonographically assess size

and architecture of kidneys in dogs with acute and chronic kidney disease.
The study was conducted in a total of 24 clinical cases of dogs which had
either acute or chronic kidney disease and 20 normal healthy dogs which
were taken as the control group. In the present study, the dogs with chronic
kidney disease of 25-35kg body weight group had a significant decrease in
width and a highly significant decrease in volume of left kidney when
compared to normal dogs. Irregular contour, indistinct corticomedullary
junction, increased cortical echogenecity, increased medullary echogenecity,
abnormal internal architecture and medullary rim sign were recorded in dogs
with chronic kidney disease. The dogs with acute kidney disease of 25
35kg body weight group had a highly significant increase in depth of both
the kidneys and a highly significant increase in volume of right kidney when
compared with normal dogs. Increased cortical echogenecity was the major
finding followed by increased medullary echogenecity and medullary rim
sign in dogs with acute kidney injury. In the present study among the body
weight range 5-15kg, there was no significant difference in any renal
dimensions between control, acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease
group. It is concluded that ultrasound is a reliable aid in differentiating acute
and chronic kidney disease when combined with other diagnostic modalities.

Received: 15 July 2015

Final Accepted: 22 August 2015
Published Online: September 2015

Key words:
Sonography, Acute kidney injury,
Chronic kidney disease, dogs,
Cortical echogenecity, Medullary
rim sign

*Corresponding Author
Jeyaraja, K

Copy Right, IJAR, 2015,. All rights reserved

INTRODUCTION
Ultrasonography is a very important non-invasive safe imaging technique for the study of renal disease. It
is very useful method to evaluate kidney size, shape and internal structure and this evaluation is not affected by
kidney function. Ultrasonography is superior to conventional radiography in many cases but there are also
limitations. These include inability to visualize the kidney in some large or obese dogs and those with excessive
bubble gas. Excretory urography is superior for qualitative assessment of renal function and localization of site of
urine leakage in case of trauma( Nyland et al., 1995). Renal disease in dogs may be associated with changes in renal
size for example chronic interstitial nephritis often results in decrease in kidney size while acute pyelonephritis,
polycystic kidney disease and hydronephrosis may leads to kidney enlargement. Therefore estimation of kidney size
in dog may provide useful clinical information. Diffuse renal disease may cause increased cortical echogenecity
with enhanced corticomedullary distinction or result in decreased definition between cortex and medulla as a result
of diseases affecting both of these regions (Mattoon, 2008).

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Materials and Methods:

The Study was carried out at Small animal Out Patient unit of Madras Veterinary College Teaching
Hospital, Tamil Nadu Veterinary Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) comprised of healthy dogs and dogs
with acute and chronic kidney disease. Twenty apparently healthy adult dogs of different breeds, sexes, and age
groups attending the outpatient unit for general health check up and vaccination were selected for study. They were
grouped in to two groups as follows: Control I - body weight range of 5-15kg (10 Dogs) and Control II - body
weight 25-35kg (10 Dogs). Dogs with acute and chronic renal disease were selected based on history, clinical signs,
physical examination findings, hematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis and radiographic findings. They were
randomly allotted to the following groups : Group I - body weight 5-15 kg, Group Ia -. acute kidney disease (6
Dogs), Group Ib - chronic kidney disease (6 Dogs) , Group II. body weight 25-35 kg, Group IIa - acute kidney
disease (6 Dogs) and Group IIb - chronic kidney disease (6 Dogs). The selected dogs were subjected to thorough
ultrasound examination of both right and left kidneys.
Ultrasonographic examination:
The dogs selected for the study were subjected to ultrasonigraphic examination using ALOKA Prosound
SSD 3500SV with convex probe of frequency 3.8-10MHz. The abdomen was prepared by clipping the hairs and
applying acoustic coupling gel on the skin. Two standard plane of section was imaged in each kidney to measure
renal parameters( Barr, 1990). Coronal section was taken along the long axis of kidney. Maximum bipolar length (L)
and the width at the pelvis (W) were measured. (Figure -1a). Head of transducer was rotated through 90 degree to
achieve a transverse section. Adjustments were made until the section was as round or oval as possible and renal
pelvis could be clearly seen. The depth was measured. The approximate renal volume was calculated from these
measurements by using the formula of ellipsoid V= (LWD) 0.523 (Figure -1b). The following qualitative
parameters like renal contour, corticomedullary junction, medullary rim sign, cortical echogenicity and medullary
echogenecity were also obsereved.

Results and discussion:

Study comprised of healthy dogs as control group divided in two groups based on their body weight i.e. 515kg and 25-35kg with 10 dogs each. The diseased dogs comprised of acute and chronic kidney disease with 12
numbers in each group. They were further allotted to two body weight groups as mentioned above.
TABLE-1
THE MEANS.E VALUES OF ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS OF KIDNEY SIZE IN NORMAL,
ACUTE KIDNEY DISEASE AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE DOGS (Body weight 5-15kg)
Length

Width

Depth

Volume

Parameters

NS

Left

Right

Left

Right

Left

Right

Left

Right

Control

4.70.30

4.70.36

2.50.16

2.50.12

2.60.14

2.60.16

17.43.18

17.153.3

AKD

4.50.32

4.40.35

2.50.15

2.50.13

2.60.12

2.70.16

14.53.56

16.482.47

CKD

3.90.26

4.050.27

2.30.13

2.20.12

2.40.12

2.30.11

10.91.21

11.31.3

F-value

1.595 NS

0.912 NS

O.621 NS

1.290 NS

0.621 NS

1.065 NS

1.130 NS

1.002 NS

= Non Significant, *= Significant (P 0.05) **= Highly Significant (PO.01)

superscript in a column differ significantly

Means bearing different

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TABLE- 2
THE MEANS.E VALUES OF ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS OF KIDNEY SIZE IN NORMAL,
ACUTE KIDNEY DISEASE AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE DOGS
(Body weight 25-35kg)

Length

Width

Depth

Volume

Parameters
Left

Right

Left

Right

Left

Right

Left

Right

Control

7.00.13

6.90.17

3.80.08a

3.40.39

3.70.12a

3.60.12a

52.73.39a

50.53.6ab

ARF

7.00.25

6.90.22

3.80.10a

4.00.19

4.10.09b

4.20.06b

60.54.67a

61.84.9b

CRF

6.40.21

6.70.22

3.40.11b

3.40.13

3.40.13a

3.50.17a

40.13.58b

43.94.34a

2.588NS

0.535NS

7.092**

6.522**

5.868**

3.783*

F-value

4.985*

0.785NS

NS

= Non Significant, *= Significant (P 0.05) **= Highly Significant (PO.01)

column differ significantly

Means bearing different superscript in a

TABLE - 3
RENAL APPEARANCE AND ARCHITECTURE IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Renal Parameters

Contour

Corticomedullary
junction

Medullary rim

Acute Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

n=12

n=12

Regular

Irregular

Regular

Irregular

12/12

0/12

5/12

7/12

Distinct

Indistinct

Distinct

Indistinct

12/12

0/12

8/12

4/12

Present

Absent

Present

Absent

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Sign

Cortical
echogenecity

Medullary
echogenecity

Internal architecture

International Journal of Advanced Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue 9, 555 - 564

2/12

10/12

2/12

10/12

Normal

Increased

Decreased

Normal

Increased

Decreased

2/12

8/12

2/12

0/12

12/12/

0/12

Normal

Increased

decreased

Normal

Increased

Decreased

10/12

2/12

0/12

8/12

4/12

0/12

Normal

Abnormal

Normal

Abnormal

12/12

0/12

8/12

4/12

Figure 1a Normal renal appearence and architecture in mid sagital section and at renal pelvis

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Figure 1 b: Renal measurements in coronal and transverse Section

Figure 2a: Increased echogenicity in Acute Kidney Disease

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Figure 2 b: Medullary rim sign in Acute Kidney Disease

Figure 3a: Increased echogenicity in Chronic Kidney Disease

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Figure 3b: Medullary rim sign in in Chronic Kidney Disease

Figure 4a: Thickened cortex and altered renal architecture in Chronic Kidney Disease

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Figure 4b: Irregular contour and increased cortical echogenicity in Chronic Kidney Disease

Figure IVc: Contracted kidney in Chronic Kidney Disease

Renal Measurements for both body weight groups:
The Mean S.E values of length, width, depth and volume of kidneys for 5-15kg body weight group dogs
with acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease are given in Table 1., There was no significant difference in
any renal dimension between control, acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease group. Myott and Langston
(2011), stated that in chronic kidney disease kidney appears small and asymmetrical frequently, whereas in acute
kidney disease, the kidney appears normal or enlarged. The findings in present study is not in agreement with the
findings of above authors whereas it is in partial agreement with Hecht and Henry(2011) , who opined that diagnosis
of enlarged or small kidney was often subjective. In the present study the renal volume for healthy dogs measured
by using ellipsoid formula was in agreement with Barr et al.(1990) and Barrera et al.( 2009). There is no significant
difference in any renal measurements between control group, acute and chronic kidney disease group. This may due
to variations in body weight, stage of renal disease and the subjective assessment of the sonographer. This requires
further elaborate study with large sample size.

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The Mean S.E values of length, width, depth and volume of kidneys for 25-35 kg body weight group
dogs with acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease are given in Table 2. There was no significant difference
in the length between control, acute kidney disease and chronic kidney disease groups. A significant difference
between control group and chronic kidney disease group were observed in the width of the left kidney whereas no
significant difference were observed in the width of the right kidney between control, acute and chronic kidney
disease. A highly significant increase was observed in the depth of both the kidneys in acute kidney disease group
compared to control group, Whereas no significant difference were observed in the depth of left and right kidney in
chronic kidney disease group compared to control group. A highly significant decrease in the volume of left kidney
was observed in the chronic kidney disease group compared to control group whereas a significant increase was
observed in the volume of right kidney of acute kidney disease group compared to control group. A non significant
decrease in renal volume of right kidney was observed in chronic kidney disease group compared to control group.
Highly significant and significant changes were observed in renal measurement such as width, depth and
volume in the present study among the large dogs (25-35kgs). These findings are in agreement with Hecht and
Henry (2011), they observed small sized kidney in chronic kidney disease and diffuse increase in renal size in acute
inflammatory disease.
In present study 12 dogs in acute kidney disease and 12 dogs in chronic kidney disease were assessed for
appearance and architecture with ultrasound. The qualitative parameter includes kidney contour, appearance of
corticomedullary junction, presence or absence of medullary rim sign, cortical echogenecity, medullary
echogenecity and the internal architecture (Table 3) (Figure 2 a&b). In acute kidney disease 12/12 dogs had regular
contour, distinct corticomedullary junction and normal internal architecture. Increased cortical echogenecity in 8/12
dogs, medullary rim sign in 2/12 dogs, , decreased cortical echogenecity in 2/12 dogs and increase medullary
echogenecity in 2/12 dogs were the other findings, (Figure 3 a&b). In chronic kidney disease increased cortical
echogenecit were present in 12/12 dogs, followed by irregular contour in 7/12 dogs, indistinct corticomedullary
junction in 4/12 dogs, increased medullary echogenecity in 4/12 dogs, abnormal internal architecture in 4/12 dogs
and medullary rim sign in 2/12 dogs were recorded. (Figure 4 a, b & c). Increased cortical echogenecity was
observed in most of the dogs affected with acute as well as chronic kidney disease. This is in agreement with Nyland
et al. ( 1995), Forrest et al. ( 1998) , Anderson( 1989), Myott and Langston ( 2011) and Hecht and Henry( 2011).
Nyland et al.,(1995) and Anderson et al. (1989) observed increase cortical echogenecity in glomerular interstitial
nephritis, acute tubular necrosis, and the increased cortical echogenecity may be attributed to acute and chronic
inflammatory process in the cortex. Medullary rim sign were observed in few cases in the study which is in
agreement with Biller et al. ( 1992) who reported medullary rim sign in wide variety of renal lesions which include
acute tubular necrosis, chronic interstitial nephritis and renal calcification secondary to hypercalcaemia.
In chronic kidney diseases irregular contour, indistinct corticomedullary junction, and abnormal internal
architecture were the prominent findings. This is in agreement with Myott and Langston( 2011) , who reported
hyperechoic cortices, decreased corticomedullary distinction, renal mineralization and small irregular kidney in
chronic cases.

Conclusion:
From the above study it was observed that in small sized dogs there were no significant alterations in renal
measurements in the both acute and chronic kidney disease whereas significant changes are seen in large sized dogs.
In dogs with acute kidney disease, renal appearance and architecture remains preserved except for texture changes
whereas in chronic kidney disease, changes in contour, texture and architecture were very well appreciated.
Therefore, it is concluded that reliability of renal measurements and appearance is more subjective and ultrasound is
a reliable aid in differentiating acute and chronic kidney disease when combined with other diagnostic modalities.

References:
1.

Nyland,T.G., Mattoon, J.S. Herrgesell and Winser, 1995. Urinary tract. In: Nyland T.G and Matoon J.S.
Small Animal Diagnostic Ulltrasound. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia pp 158-195.

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2.

Mattoon, J.S. 2008. Diffuse kidney disease: the role of diagnostic imaging before taking a biopsy
proceeding of the international SCIVAC Congress, pp 383-384.

3.

Barr, F.J. 1990. Evaluation of ultrasound as a method for assessing renal size in the dog, J Small Animal
Pract., 31: pp 174-179.

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Myott, M and Langston, C.E. 2011. Differentiating between acute and chronic kidney disease, Veterinary
Medicine., 106(6): 294-304.

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Hecht and Henry. 2011. Ultrasonogrphy of urinary tract: In Batges, J and Plozin, D.J. Nephrology and
Urology of Small Animals, Willey Blackwell 1st (ed.), pp 128-145.

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Barr, F.J, Holt. P.E and Gibbs.C. 1990. Ultrasonographic measurement of normal renal parameters, Small
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Barrera, R., Duque, J., Ruiz, P. and Zaragoza, C. 2009. Accuracy of Ultrasonographic measurements of
kidney of dog for clinical use, Revista Cientifica., 29(6): 576-583.

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Forrest, L. , O'Brien, R.T. and Tremelling, M.S. 1998. Sonographic renal findings in 20 dogs with
leptospirosis, Vet Radiol. Ultrasound. 39: 337-340.

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Anderson, W.I. 1989. Study of association between histologic features and echogenecity of architecturally
normal cat kidneys, Am J Vet Res., 50: 860-863.

10. Biller, D.S. Bradley, G.A. and Partington, B.P. 1992. Renal medullary rim sign: Ultrasonographic
evidence of renal disease, Vet Radiol. Ultrasound., 33: 286-290.

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