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Renal ultrasound abnormalities in children with end-stage liver disease — reversal by liver transplantation

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Abstract

Ultrasound (US) imaging of the kidneys was performed in 43 pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease evaluated for orthotopic liver transplantation. Renal size was increased in 8 patients (19%) and echogenicity of the kidneys was increased in 12 patients (28%). In 12 patients studied after liver transplantation, US revealed normal renal size in all and increased echogenicity in only 2 patients shortly after transplantation. Normalization of renal US findings was also found in 2 patients studied before and after liver transplantation. The glomerular filtration rate varied from 65 to 225 ml/min per 1.73 m2 in 5 patients with abnormal US, and from 74 to 116 ml/min per 1.73 m2 in 3 patients with normal US. Nephromegaly and increased echogenicity on renal US are frequent in children with end-stage liver disease and appear to be mostly reversible by liver transplantation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, 10833 Le Conte, A2-331 CHS, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    U. Querfelt & R. N. Fine

  2. Division of Pediatric Radiology, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, 10833 Le Conte, A2-331 CHS, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    I. M. Boechat & H. Kangarloo

  3. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, 10833 Le Conte, A2-331 CHS, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    J. Vargas & B. Berquist

  4. Division of Nuclear Medicine, UCLA Center for the Heath Sciences, 10833 Le Conte, A2-331 CHS, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    R. Hawkins

  5. Division of Surgery, UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, 10833 Le Conte, A2-331 CHS, 90024, Los Angeles, California, USA

    R. W. Busuttil

Authors
  1. U. Querfelt
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  2. I. M. Boechat
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  3. J. Vargas
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  4. R. Hawkins
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  5. B. Berquist
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  6. H. Kangarloo
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  7. R. W. Busuttil
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  8. R. N. Fine
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Querfelt, U., Boechat, I.M., Vargas, J. et al. Renal ultrasound abnormalities in children with end-stage liver disease — reversal by liver transplantation. Pediatr Nephrol 5, 18–21 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00852833

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00852833

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