B-mode sonography is an extremely useful and cost-effective method to eliminate urinary obstruction as a cause of acute renal failure and should be performed on all patients in whom obstruction is likely or in whom the cause of renal failure is not apparent. The threshold should be reduced in patients with solitary kidneys and sonography is probably indicated in all transplant patients. Sonography has very little utility in the management of other patients with acute renal failure. Although sonographic changes do occur in acute tubular necrosis, they are difficult to detect in the absence of baseline studies and are nonspecific.
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.