Medullary Nephrocalcinosis

Medullary Nephrocalcinosis

This ultrasound image shows increased echogenicity of the renal medulla (the pyramids are normally hypoechoic to cortex). This appearance is typical of medullary nephrocalcinosis.

Medullary nephrocalcinosis has many causes. The most common causes are hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, and medullary sponge kidney. Rarer causes of medullary nephrocalcinosis are papillary necrosis, hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, prematurity, and primary hyperoxaluria.

This patient had nephrocalcinosis due to Bartter’s Syndrome, a hereditary disorder of ion transporters.

Medullary Nephrocalcinosis

10. Renal medullary nephrocalcinosis. Longitudinal right renal sonogram demonstrates hyperechoic pyramids(arrows) consistent with medullary nephrocalcinosis.