Sonographic assessment of renal length in apparently healthy students of college of health sciences, Bayero University, Kano

In persons with normal renal function, renal length has been found to be the most important marker for assessing renal function. Ultrasound is readily available, non- invasive and provides a direct and easy method of determining renal length. The aim of this study is to determine the range of normal renal measurements among the students of College of Health Sciences, BUK. Renal lengths of apparently healthy volunteered students were measured using Mindray DP-7700 digital ultrasound scanner with a 3.5MHz curvilinear transducer. Maximum bipolar length for each kidney was measured with participants in supine position. Differences between renal length with age and gender was assessed while its relationship with BMI were assessed statistically for right and left kidneys. A total of 201 consenting participants were recruited into the study. Average mean bipolar length among the student’s was established to be 9.28±0.94cm and 9.42±1.02cm for the right and left kidneys respectively. Mean renal length in males was found to be 9.51 ± 1.11cm for the left and 9.47 ± 0.93cm for the right which are slightly higher than those of the females 9.29 ± 0.87cm for the left and 9.07 ± 0.91cm for the right. The left kidneys were longer than the right kidneys. The mean renal length did not correlate with age and BMI. Nomogram of renal dimension among students of BUK were established. This will form basis for renal diagnosis especially for health Institutions like the BUK health services.Keywords: Normal students, Renal length, Ultrasonograph