Compensatory renal enlargement in older patients.

Renal size (product of length and width) was measured at urography before and after nephrectomy performed for tumor in 33 patients aged 38-78 years (mean, 59). In 88% a statistically significant enlargement of the remaining kidney was found (P less than .001). Earlier reports stating that compensatory renal hypertrophy does not occur in older patients cannot be supported.