[Kidney sonography in glomerulopathies in childhood].

The rapid progressive course of the glomerulonephritis shows an independent sonographic picture. Apart from the massive enlargement of the organ and the increase of the parenchyma-pyelo-index the kidneys show a high echogenicity, wavy marginal contours and unclear inner structures. In chronic glomerulonephritis both enlarged and diminished kidneys are to be found. A differentiation to the nephrotic syndrome is possible only with the help of the partly increased echogenicity. The elimination of the chronic glomerulopathies from the chronic pyelonephritis by means of sonography does not render any difficulties. In the Alport-syndrome the ultrasound diagnostic gives references to the activity or furidity of the disease. With the increase of the renal symptoms the sonographic picture of the kidneys also changes. In the sonogram no peculiarities for the Schönlein-Henoch nephritis and proteinuria are to be expected. For the acute and chronic glomerulonephritis as well as the Alport-syndrome the use of the sonography for the long-term control of the course is recommended.