What Is the Appropriate Use of Renal Sonography in an Inner-City Population With New-Onset Acute Kidney Injury?

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of hydronephrosis in patients who underwent renal sonography for new-onset acute kidney injury (AKI) and to identify clinical factors predictive of hydronephrosis. In patients with hydronephrosis, we sought to investigate how routine renal sonography affects patient treatment, including performance of interventional procedures.

Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 274 adults with AKI who underwent renal sonography at an urban teaching hospital from January through July 2011.