ABSTRACT
The finding of increased echogenicity in the fetal abdomen is common. These hyperechoic areas may be in the fetal bowel, kidneys, or the liver.
Hyperechoic kidneys
Echogenic kidneys in the presence of dilated renal outflow tracts are suggestive of poor function in the kidneys. If the liquor volume is normal, then this is likely to be a normal variant with a normal neonatal outcome. The presence of reduced liquor volume with bright kidneys suggests renal failure, and is likely to be associated with a poor outcome. Infantile polycystic kidneys usually manifest as large bright kidneys without any cortico-medullary differentiation. This invariably presents with anhydramnios and is a lethal malformation.
