Computed Tomographic Estimation of Relationship between Renal Volume and Body Weight of an Individual

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge of normal range of size and volume of abdominal organs plays a vital role in clinical practices as various medical conditions affects the abdominal organs causing alteration in their dimensions. Aim: The present retrospective study was done to establish the normal range of renal volume in study population and to see the correlation between renal volume and body weight of an individual. Materials and Methods: Computed tomographic evaluations of kidneys were performed on 140 kidneys of 70 individuals who had undergone abdominal CT scan for indications other than renal disease. We also excluded the patients diagnosed to have renal cysts, hydronephrosis or other renal diseases on CT examination. Renal length, width and depth were measured. Renal volume of both the kidneys was calculated by formula Kidney Volume (KV) =л/6 x Renal length (L) x Renal width (W) x Renal depth (D). Various body parameters like age, weight, sex were also recorded in the data sheet. Results: Mean renal volume for the right kidney was 83.26±18.33 cm3 for females (33 females out of 70) and 103.92±23.27 cm3 for males (37 males out of 70). However, mean renal volume for the left kidney was 89.17±19.41 cm3 in females and 106±26.79 cm3 in males. Left renal volume was apparently more than right renal volume, though statistically insignificant. In males, mean kidney volume was found to be 104.96 cm3 whereas in females, it was found to be 86.21 cm3 . Kidney volume was found to be significantly greater in males than females among study population (t=3.79, p=0.0001). Renal volume significantly correlated with age and body weight of an individual. Conclusion: This study is a sincere attempt to establish a normograms of renal volume in study population. For the clinical assessment of renal pathologies, knowledge of renal volume is a vital parameter. In study group, most significant parameter associated with renal volume is body weight which can be used as an adjunct while evaluating renal pathological conditions. Of all the radiological imaging techniques, abdominal coronal computed tomography scan provides most accurate renal measurements.

Keywords

• body weight
• kidney volume
• normograms