Hyperechogenic kidneys

What it means

An increase in amplitude of waves returned in ultrasonography of the kidney, which is generally displayed as increased brightness of the signal.

Normal renal parenchyma is similar (isoechoic) or slightly darker (hypoechoic) compared with liver and includes the cortex and medulla. The thickness of the renal cortex is measured from the outer border of the medullary pyramids (yellow line) or from the arcuate arteries to the renal capsule. The medullary pyramids (white arrow) contain fluid in parallel tubules, which is anechoic (black) and appear as regularly spaced dark pools at the inner margin of the parenchyma (arrow). Because fat is echogenic, the central renal sinus appears bright.

Rare diseases that can present with this2

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Echogenic kidneys · Increased echogenicity of the renal parenchyma