EVALUATION OF STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN THE KIDNEYS DURING HYPERURICEMIC NEPHROPATHY USING ULTRASOUND EXAMINATION

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study analyzing the ultrasound and clinical-laboratory findings in patients with hyperuricemic nephropathy. A total of 47 patients were included in the study. Using ultrasound in triplex mode (two-dimensional, spectral, and color Doppler), structural changes in the renal parenchyma and sinus were investigated, along with the assessment of urodynamics and renal hemodynamics, and sonographic criteria were developed. The study identified the following renal alterations in patients with hyperuricemic nephropathy: thinning of the renal parenchyma, increased echogenicity, detection of fibrotic changes and small hyperechoic inclusions, subcapsular anechoic bands, and elevated resistance indices (RI) in segmental and arcuate arteries. In stages III and IV of chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by hyperuricemic nephropathy, significant reductions in the thickness and volume of the parenchyma, cortical layer, Sparenx/S renal index, and diminished blood flow velocity in intersegmental and arcuate arteries were observed, compared to stages I and II. Additionally, an increase in resistance index was noted at these advanced stages.