Common Findings in Urinary System Ultrasound Scan in Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

Background of study: Recent studies show persistent upward trend in the incidence and prevalence of urinary system diseases. Urinary system ultrasound is versatile, accessible, useful and inexpensive. It serves as first line imaging modality in assessment of urinary system pathologies. Objective of study: To identify the common findings in urinary system ultrasound scan. Materials and Methods: Records from existing pool of results of patients who had abdominopelvic ultrasound scan at Intercontinental Diagnostic Centre, Port Harcourt, and Rivers State, Nigeria was used for this study. Data from 1,597 ultrasound scan reports for the year 2021 were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Four hundred and twenty-two (422) sonographic findings distributed among 23 pathological entities were revealed. Among the 23 entities, 12 showed significantly higher frequency of occurrence. They are, in order of occurrence, simple renal cyst, hydronephrosis, diffuse hyperechoic kidney, renal calculus, cystitis, enlarged kidney, bladder outlet obstruction, pyelonephritis, small kidney, polycystic kidney, ectopic kidney and renal agenesis. Overall prevalence was 26%. The male to female ratio of prevalence was 1.4:1 and adults to paediatrics ratio was 83.4:1. The renal findings showed patterns of occurrence i.e., predominantly bilateral, unilateral, bilateral or unilateral. Conclusion: There are 12 common findings with the male population showing higher prevalence than the female. In addition, there is a preponderance of hyperechoic parenchyma of the right kidney.