Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by severe proteinuria (typically more than 3.5 grams per day), low serum albumin, edema, and elevated cholesterol. Many causes exist, including glomerulonephritis, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, and medications. On renal ultrasound, the kidneys in nephrotic syndrome may show variable appearances depending on the underlying cause. Diabetic nephropathy, a common cause, often leads to enlarged, hyperechoic kidneys. Amyloidosis may show echogenic kidneys with normal or near-normal size. Ultrasound helps evaluate kidney size and echogenicity and can assess for focal abnormalities, though renal biopsy is often needed to establish the specific diagnosis.
Sonography Term