Ultrasonic findings in analgesic nephropathy.

Thirty-four patients with analgesic nephropathy (AN) were investigated by realtime ultrasonography. In 11 of 14 dialysis patients and in 16 of 20 patients with renal insufficiency calcified renal papillae were documented surrounding the internal echo in a typical garland pattern. Incomplete garland pattern of papillary calcifications or development of hydronephrosis occurred in patients with a history of renal colic due to detachment of necrotic papillae. Moreover, AN was assumed in 10 patients with renal insufficiency of unknown origin after detection of typical ultrasonic signs of AN and confirmed by a hitherto unknown history of analgesic abuse.