Evaluation of ultrasound as a method of assessing renal size in the dog

The aim of this study was first to determine the reproducibility and accuracy of ultrasonographic measurement of linear renal parameters in the dog. It was determined that renal length, width and depth could all be measured with a high degree of reproducibility, assuming a careful scanning technique. These measurements were found to be an accurate reflection of the true dimensions of the kidney, although there was a tendency for renal length to be underestimated. A simple method of renal volumetry was then evaluated, assuming that the kidney approaches the shape of an ellipsoid. This technique proved to be quick and simple to perform. The volume estimated in this way proved to be a good indicator of the true renal volume, although the estimated volume tended to be lower than the true volume measured by water displacement.