Should I be worried? Cortical Thinning, Nephrocalcinosis, Possible Small kidneys.

[Vicksburg91]

Hello all! I am a 26 year old male being treated for Carcinoid Cancer. Ended up in the ER with vomitting and blood in urine. A renal ultrasound showed my right kidney was 8.6 cm in length and left 9.4 cm in length. Cortical thickness was 6 mm. They mentioned that is small for male kidneys. Is this correct?

Also the ultrasound showed "Cortical thinning bilaterally with prominent echogenicity in the renal medulla

bilaterally. This would suggest the possibility of early or developing medullary

nephrocalcinosis. Clinical correlation is advised."

The ER wasnt much help in explaining- other than that I should followup with my doctors. I do have stomach issues and pain in my back off and on. Should I be concerned about these ultrasound results? Any ideas about what this all means?

[LJMusgrove]

Sorry to hear about your health concerns. I can't help with that sorry. I am new to all of this myself. I have been doing all of my research online because I found out more that way. I live in Australia so a bit different as well. I hope someone will come forward with a helpful reply soon ! Leonie

[YollyD_NKF]

Cortical thinning means the kidney has been scarred and the amount of functioning tissue has decreased. We would strongly recommend that you get tested and check your kidney function GFR/ACR. You can learn more about GFR by visiting: kidney.org/atoz/content/gfr

[LorrieC]

Vic,

I had the same diagnosis in 2016 after having an US for my gallbladder. "Cortical thinning and increased cortical echogenicity suggestive of underlying medical renal disease. There is no evidence of right sided hydronephrosis." My dr. made light of it for my creatinine was within range and my GFR was above 60. Now, the creatinine is above normal limits and my GFR ranges from 49 to 59 since the first of the year. I am wondering if I have the same problem with my left kidney. The report did not reveal any measurements.

[Bevvzy in reply to LorrieC]

An egfr of 90 is considered normal , UNLESS you have other signs of probable kidney disease eg cortical thinning, shrinkage etc. In that case, even 70-90, is considered stage one. With no other signs 90 is normal. An egfr of between 49 to 59 is classed as stage 2 kidney disease. There are 4 stages BUT, progress can take years. Remember to.that egfr snd creatinine tests are not always asccurate and a one off decline could simply be due to inafequate fluid intake that day. Some do not make referrals to a nephroligist until egfr 30 . My referal was early and was at 45egfr because of the very l

Rapid and steady decline ie not a one off. It dropped from the mid 70s, with bilateral cortical thinning and and shrinkage , to only 45 in just over 12 months. But has since r er m a ined steady. However just in the last r weeks my urine has gone from blood staining to a constant now very dark brown and output has halved quite suddenly. So.likely time to.go.back

[LorrieC in reply to Bevvzy]

Since my last post, I had ultrasounds of both kidneys. Nothing was mentioned about cortical thinning and my kidneys were of normal size. Perhaps the second radiologist saw the cortical thinning, but did not mention it in the report.

[renfrowalicia33]

chronic cortical thinning of the lower pole laterally kidney what is that help

[renfrowalicia33]

cortical chronic thinning of the lower pole does anyone know what this means