Sonographic measurement of renal size in normal high altitude populations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal sonographic measurement of the kidney in people reside at high altitude (2200 m). Length, width and thickness were measured in stratified random group of 125 volunteers with different age and sex. Their age ranges from 20 to 60 years old. Renal volumes were calculated and correlate with age, height, weight, body mass index and sex. Median renal lengths were 10.7 cm on the left side and 9.76 cm on the right side. These measurements were found to be lower than the length in low altitude. Median renal volumes were 106.08 cm on the left side and 94.25 cm on the right side. Renal size decreases with increased age because of parenchyma reduction, but it was increased with increasing body mass index. Renal length correlates with body height. Renal volume was larger in males than in females. The median cortical size was found 1.8 cm on both sides.