Abstract
Renal anomalies occur with sufficient frequency in Turner Syndrome to warrant routine imaging. Previously using IVP, in 36 of 98 TS patients, we found: significant obstruction with hydronephrosis (3), unilateral renal agenesis (1), horseshoe kidney (6), renal ectopia (3), and minor anomalies of the calyces and collecting system (23). Since introducing ultrasonography, we have studied 18 patients, demonstrating the presence of hydronephrosis, horseshoe kidney, ectopia, extrapelvic calyx, and unilateral absence.
Pelvic imaging, considered essential in TS patients with a Y chromosome, had not been otherwise used to define gonadal structures. With US, we have demonstrated, so far, a gonadoblastoma in 1 of 2 patients with a Y chromosome, while most TS patients studied routinely showed no gonadal structures at all. However, in 3 adolescent patients with spontaneous menses and one with spontaneous breast development and normal serum gonadotropins, we found unilateral or bilateral ovarian structures. In 3 other adolescents whose spontaneous menses had ceased 2+ years ago, ovaries were not seen on US. Thus, the presence of ovaries demonstrable with US correlates with active ovarian function.
In summary, ultrasonography can replace IVP in routine renal imaging in TS; it can also assess pelvic anatomy, detect gonadal tumors, and document functioning ovarian tissue.
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Lippe, B., Kangarloo, H., Kaplan, S. et al. TURNER SYNDROME (TS): ULTRASONOGRAPHY (US) DEFINES RENAL ANOMALIES AND GONADAL STRUCTURE. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 171 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00467
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00467