Missing Kidney

[drmind]

I had a MRI of my spine several weeks ago and the results also said my right kidney was atrophied. A year ago, I had two kidney with one or two cysts. Of course, these new results has me worried. What happened to my kidney? I am going for a special kidney sonogram in a few days and hope I find out something positive. If anyone has had similar experiences or have knowledge about this, can you please share it. Thank you in advance.

BTW, I've no symptoms or problems that I feel could be associated with this.

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Well gosh this must be very disconcerting. Have you discussed with your doctor? "Sometimes = 20%" radiologists make crazy incompetent and INACCURATE results. My experience was that I needed an MRI for something, can't recall what.the radiologist noted that there was a good uptake from both kidneys. Problem was I had both kidneys removed 10 years earlier. How do you trust that specific radiologist on any opinions or interpretation of scans, ever?There should be a follow up. Your ultrasound is a great idea and will deny or confirm previous scan. Hang in there. Blessings

[drmind in reply to KidneyCoach]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yes, the place where I had the MRI is noted by me to be less efficient than another diagnostic center near here. But the doctor needing the MRI (pain specialist) only can do lmmediate uptake on that one diagnostic center. But, he left it up to me. So, I went to that place to make it easier for.him. and, yes, I already discussed this with my nephologist and he was surprised as I was and ordered the special sonogram. I'm getting the sonogram at the better diagnostic center and hopefully they'll be clearer results. Again....thanks for the information and especially the blessings.

[Darlenia in reply to KidneyCoach]

Omg...your experience reminded me of a thyroid scan that I had. I was sitting on a table, it got really quiet, then suddenly a doctor (or a high level sonographer) rushed in, babbling about all the lumps and bumps on it. I told him not to worry - those lumps and bumps were there since the beginning of time and the result of an autoimmune problem. But could he look for anything on the scans that actually resembled a malignancy? Yep, none. So there I was, knowing more than him and keeping him focused. I actually felt like his mother, reassuring him, he was so worried. I suspect you're right - at least 20% of those folks go off track.

[barbara55109 in reply to KidneyCoach]

I had a similar experience. A Radiologist said he saw my colon and rectum even though it was removed in 1993! I sent complaints to every medical board that licensed him. No impact or repercussions at all.

[drmind in reply to barbara55109]

OMG that's awful. Its amazing how some medical professionals get away with stuff. Of course, no one is perfect, but these are glaring errors. My problem with the center near me is they did a scan to locate a hiatal hernia and other organs and they described them as "very large" or "small " with no measurements. So next time I get a scan how will the new radiologist know if "very large" got bigger or stayed the same? Such sloppy work with such important issues.

Just stay alert. Thanks for sharing

[Alexie90]

I had a similar experience. about 2.5 years ago I had a CT of the pelvic area for a tumor on my bikini line and my full right kidney showed up but showed as atrophied. I had no symptoms either. one radiologist read the CT as I had multiple small kidney stones in the kidney. a 2nd CT for something else, said one large stone. but none of my Dr's are concerned about it. they also dont seem to care how/why it happened either. unfortunately I found out I was diabetic at the same time, family history of it and now I'm at CKD 3A with only one working kidney that maybe declining some. but I do know we're suppose to be okay with only one kidney, as long as the other kidney is healthy

[drmind in reply to Alexie90]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the atrophied kidney. I had a renal scan a few weeks days ago and hope to get the results tomorrow. Aside from the kidneys, they were also looking at the blood flow into them. Fingers crossed. Glad you're doing well with one kidney. What happened to the kidney stones you mentioned having? Are they still there?