A patient with a history of hyperparathyroidism is likely to show which condition on a sagittal kidney image?

In the context of hyperparathyroidism, the body experiences an elevation in parathyroid hormone levels, which in turn affects calcium metabolism. One of the key consequences of this condition is the potential for abnormal calcium deposition in the kidneys, leading to nephrocalcinosis.

Nephrocalcinosis is characterized by the deposition of calcium in the renal parenchyma, which can be visualized on imaging studies such as a sagittal kidney ultrasound. The condition is particularly relevant for patients with hyperparathyroidism because the increased calcium levels in the bloodstream can lead to calcium being deposited in various tissues, especially in the kidneys, where the calcium levels might be significantly high due to the kidneys' role in filtering the blood.

While nephrolithiasis, which refers to kidney stones, can also be associated with hyperparathyroidism, nephrocalcinosis specifically relates to the diffuse calcium deposits seen in the renal tissue itself rather than calculi formation. Therefore, the presence of nephrocalcinosis on a sagittal kidney image in a patient with hyperparathyroidism strongly supports the relationship between elevated parathyroid hormone levels and calcium metabolism abnormalities in the kidneys.