Sonography of wall thickening of the renal collecting system. A nonspecific finding.

Eleven cases of sonographically visualized thickening of the wall of the renal collecting system were reviewed and the clinical diagnoses compiled. In only three of these patients was acute rejection after renal transplantation considered responsible for the finding. The remaining eight had acute tubular necrosis, urinary tract infection complicating hydronephrosis, congenital hydronephrosis after pyeloplasty, congenital hydronephrosis due to reflux, and one was on total parenteral nutrition. It was seen to resolve after therapy in five patients, including all three renal transplants, one patient with hydronephrosis and infection, and one patient with hydronephrosis after surgery. Sonographically visible thickening of the wall of the renal collecting system is a nonspecific finding and can be seen in a variety of renal diseases.