# Morphometric analysis of retroperitoneal organs in individuals with unilateral congenital renal agenesis and renal hypoplasia

## TL;DR

This study examines changes in retroperitoneal organs in people with kidney birth defects and finds potential biomarkers for kidney function.

## Contribution

The study identifies morphological biomarkers and compensatory changes in kidney anatomy in individuals with UCRA and RH.

## Key findings

- Compensatory hypertrophy was observed in the healthy kidney of UCRA and RH patients.
- The anteroposterior diameter of the inferior vena cava was narrower in CAKUT patients compared to controls.
- Cortex thickness correlated with kidney function markers like eGFR and creatinine.

## Abstract

Our aim was to determine the changing anatomy of the retroperitoneal organs in the Unilateral Congenital Renal Agenesis (UCRA) and Renal Hypoplasia (RH) groups and to investigate the presence of morphological biomarkers by evaluating the functional capacity of the kidney in the patient groups.

The study was conducted retrospectively at Istanbul Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, in collaboration with the Departments of Radiology, Nephrology and Anatomy. CT images of individuals with UCRA and RH followed in the nephrology clinic were retrospectively reviewed and anatomical-topographic evaluations were performed. Biomarkers indicating renal function were obtained from laboratory test results. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05

The study included 18 individuals in the agenesis group, 30 in the hypoplasia group, and 25 in the control group. Compensatory hypertrophy was significantly observed in all renal morphometric measurements in the healthy side kidney. It was observed that the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased from the control group to the agenesis group. The anteroposterior diameter of the inferior vena cava was narrower in individuals with CAKUT (n=48) than in controls (n=25) (CAKUT: 14.50±3.83, Control 17.10±3.80, p=0.007). Cortex thickness was positively correlated with eGFR and negatively correlated with creatinine in both the UCRA group and the HP group. The cortex thickness/mediolateral diameter ratio was negatively correlated with urea, uric acid, creatinine and positively correlated with eGFR.

A narrowing of the VCI-AP diameter was notable in patients with CAKUT. Cortical thickness was considered important in the assessment of renal function, and the ratio of cortical thickness to mediolateral diameter (Cx/ML) could be used as a potential reference.