A patient with left flank pain may show which finding in a left upper quadrant sonogram?

Get ready for the Sonography Canada Generalist Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

A hypertrophied column of Bertin is a benign anatomic variant in which the renal cortical columns become prominently enlarged, creating a band-like area that extends toward the renal medulla. On a left upper quadrant ultrasound this can look like a solid, mass‑like structure within the kidney, which is why it’s a common pitfall in the setting of flank pain. The key to recognizing it is that this band is continuous with the cortex and runs between the calyces, typically showing the same echogenicity as the surrounding cortex and lacking true mass effect or internal vascularity on Doppler. In contrast, findings suggestive of infection or neoplasm—such as a renal abscess (fluid collection with irregular walls or debris) or a complicated cyst (thick irregular wall, septations, or debris)—have different ultrasound characteristics. A dromedary hump is another normal contour variant of the left kidney, but it presents as a lateral bulge rather than a band-like cortical prominence.