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OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its correlation with serum creatinine level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cross sectional study conducted in the ultrasound department of Dr. Ziauddin Hospital Clifton campus, Karachi from April 6, 2017 to October 6, 2017 for a period of six months. A total of 200 patients with CKD and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determined to be < 60 ml/min were included in this study. Blood tests were gathered from the chosen patients, serum creatinine estimation was done for those patients and they underwent ultrasonography on the same day to assess echogenicity, parenchymal thickness, cortical thickness, and longitudinal length. This information was noted in the pro forma. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 54.62±13.3 years. Mean serum creatinine was significant among echogenicity grades [p=0.0005]. Mean parenchymal thickness was also significant among echogenicity grades (p=0.0005). Mean longitudinal length was also significant among echogenicity grades (p=0.0005). Mean corticomedullary distinction was also significant among echogenicity grades (p=0.0005). A statistically significant highly positive correlation was observed between serum creatinine and cortical echogenicity grading (r=0.915 P = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The best sonographic parameter that correlates with serum creatinine is renal cortical echogenicity and its grading in comparison to longitudinal length, parenchymal thickness, and cortical thickness in patients of CKD. Since renal cortical echogenicity has the advantage of being irreversible in comparison to serum creatinine levels, it can be used as a parameter of renal function.
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Objective We conducted this study to determine the added value of curved multiplanar reformations (CMPR) and multiplanar reformations (MPR) of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan in the visualization and localization of the zone of transition in patients with intestinal obstruction. Materials and methods A total of 100 patients with suspected bowel obstruction were evaluated in a retrospective cross-sectional study from September 2016 to September 2018 at Dr. Ziauddin University Hospital, Clifton Campus. All patients underwent multidetector computed tomography (CT) scans with oral and intravenous contrast before surgical exploration. CMPR and MPR were acquired at the time of examination in each patient in addition to routine axial images. The CT scans were analyzed by two independent, experienced radiologists skilled at detecting the zones of transition in patients with bowel obstruction using the axial images alone, followed by axial images along with MPR, and then MPR plus CMPR. Patient data were masked to the radiologists. The CT scan findings were compared with surgical findings to determine the accuracy of CMPR in detecting the zone of transition between distended and collapsed bowel loops. The added CMPR showed high accuracy in the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction with a remarkable advantage over the conventional axial images. Data analysis was done on IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Cohen's kappa statistics were obtained to show the measure of agreement between the two readers. McNemar's test was also applied to determine the homogeneity. Results Two radiologists, one with two years of experience and the other with five years of experience were 80% and 81% accurate, respectively, in identifying the zones of transition using axial images alone. Using axial images plus MPR, their accuracy was 88% and 92%, respectively. Using MPR plus CMPR, their accuracy was 96% and 98%, respectively. The accuracy of MPR plus CMPR views was significantly increased when compared to the accuracy using axial images alone. CT findings were compared to surgical findings in terms of diagnostic performance. The kappa value of 0.6 indicates moderate association and substantial agreement between two radiologists. McNemar's test showed homogeneity in the number of valid cases. Conclusion CMPR is an important and accurate technique for evaluating intestinal obstruction in addition to MPR as it helps in better localization of the zone of transition and in determining the cause of obstruction. This insight provides guidance for the appropriate treatment.