Sonography of systemic lupus nephritis.

Renal sonography was compared with commonly obtained laboratory and pathologic data in 31 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Sonography was 95% sensitive in the detection of lupus nephritis, with the major abnormalities being abnormal renal size and cortical echogenicity. Sonography was useful in locating the kidneys for biopsy and in excluding hydronephrosis. However, in the overall evaluation of patients with uncomplicated lupus nephritis, sonography added little information not readily available from laboratory data.