Is Unilateral Small Kidney Normal?

Posted on Mon, 9 Nov 2015

Question: I'm doing quite good. My doctor told me I have one of my kidneys are quite small. Could you tell what this means and why this happens? I don't understand this.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
please upload ultrasound reports and renal function tests

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for contacting me directly.

Small kidney may be there since birth. If other kidney is functioning properly small kidney is unnoticed. Sometime during routine check-up or when other kidney function is affected this small kidney can be noticed. As such asymptomatic small kidney is not an issue from health point of view.

Please let me know how your doctor reaches to conclusion of small kidney.

- Upload sonogrpahy (ultrasound) reports of abdomen in which size of kidney is mentioned.

- Also write creatinine and urea reports.

- Is there any problem in urinating or any pain in abdomen?

If you do not have any of the reports please go for the same and revert back to me.
I will be happy to help further after your response.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (13 hours later)

Referring to your question about my urine, I have hard time holding it. I go quite often and have to wear a pad

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it is likely due to some nervous system problem or some local lump

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for info.

If kidney is small and not working there will be low urine output and reduces frequency of urine. Your complaints are not related to small kidney. Symptoms of increase frequency and urgency suggest some neurological problem likely. In that case proper neurological examination is must. MRI spine or brain is needed depending upon the examination. Nerve supply to urinary bladder, urethra or urethral sphincter is affected in such cases.

Other possibility some lump (swelling) in abdomen compressing urinary bladder. Due to pressure over bladder urinary bladder cannot accommodate much urine and with small collection there is urging to urinate. This lump can be of any organ in the pelvis (cervix, uterus, large intestine or bladder itself). For this ultrasound or CT scan is required after proper physical examination.

Hope this answer will help. Feel free to discuss further.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar