Analgesic nephropathy CT

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shakiba Hassanzadeh, MD[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis is traditionally based on the clinical findings above in combination with excessive analgesic use. It is estimated that between 2 and 3 kg each of phenacetin or aspirin must be consumed before evidence of analgesic nephropathy becomes clinically apparent.

CT[edit | edit source]

Once suspected, analgesic nephropathy can be confirmed with relative accuracy using computed tomography (CT) imaging without contrast.^[1] One trial demonstrated that the appearance of papillary calcifications on CT imaging was 92% sensitive and 100% specific for the diagnosis of analgesic nephropathy.^[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

CT scan without contrast of the abdomen is usually preferred for diagnosing analgesic nephropathy, the findings include: decrease in renal size, bumpy contours and papillary calcifications.  

CT Scan[edit | edit source]

• Since renal biopsy is an invasive procedure, CT scan without contrast of the abdomen is usually preferred for diagnosing analgesic nephropathy.^[3][1]
• The findings on CT scan in analgesic nephropathy include:^[1]
  • Decrease in renal size
  • Bumpy contours  
  • Papillary calcifications  

References[edit | edit source]

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