Renal stone are often composed of calcium; ultrasound features include

Renal stone are often composed of calcium; ultrasound features include

• A. Highly echogenic shadowing mass
• B. Hydronephrosis
• C. Simple cyst
• D. Small kidney

Answer: (A)

Calcium-containing renal stones appear as a bright, highly echogenic focus on ultrasound. The dense calcium reflects most of the ultrasound beam, creating a posterior acoustic shadow that obscures deeper structures. This combination of a bright echo with shadowing is the hallmark feature of stones on ultrasound. Hydronephrosis can be seen if a stone causes obstruction, but it is a consequence of blockage rather than the stone’s own appearance. A simple cyst looks anechoic with posterior enhancement, not a bright echogenic mass. A small kidney describes size, not the characteristic stone appearance.

Calcium-containing renal stones appear as a bright, highly echogenic focus on ultrasound. The dense calcium reflects most of the ultrasound beam, creating a posterior acoustic shadow that obscures deeper structures. This combination of a bright echo with shadowing is the hallmark feature of stones on ultrasound.

Hydronephrosis can be seen if a stone causes obstruction, but it is a consequence of blockage rather than the stone’s own appearance. A simple cyst looks anechoic with posterior enhancement, not a bright echogenic mass. A small kidney describes size, not the characteristic stone appearance.