Checklist for interpreting kidney ultrasound
In our experience, checklists help novice users to systematically interpret the sonographic findings and reduce errors. So, I made SECONDS checklist for interpretation of nephrologist-performed renal ultrasound. Simply, it prompts the learners to look for the following things:
S – Size (renal length and cortical thickness)
E – cortical Echogenicity
C – Collecting system (hydronephrosis)
O – Outline (most masses grow outwards and disrupt the outline)
N – Notable lesions such as cysts and stones
D – Doppler (differentiate hydronephrosis and vascular structure, assess flow)
S – Surroundings (ascites, perinephric collections)
Below illustration provides a pictographic summary of SECONDS checklist.

Some representative sonographic images:

gracias