How accurate is diagnostic ultrasound in renal disease?

Summary Ultrasound has proved to be a useful and practical additional tool in the routine examination of patients with renal masses or unilateral absence of renal function. In our hands it has been 87% accurate and by combining it with cyst puncture, we have avoided arteriography, general anaesthesia and surgical exploration in the majority of our cases with cystic lesions. We feel that it has no place as an isolated investigation for an instant and infallible diagnosis, but must be followed by a further diagnostic procedure whether it be a cyst puncture, arteriogram or a surgical exploration.