What condition is typically demonstrated in a sonogram of the left kidney of a patient with epigastric pain?

Nephrolithiasis, or kidney stones, is a condition that can be effectively demonstrated in a sonogram and is often associated with epigastric pain, particularly if the stone is located in the left kidney. The pain can result from the irritation and obstruction of urine flow due to the presence of the stone, leading to inflammation and renal colic. On ultrasound, nephrolithiasis appears as echogenic foci with shadowing, indicating the presence of calcifications within the kidney or ureter.

Identifying stones within the kidney via ultrasound is advantageous, as the modality is non-invasive and does not involve radiation exposure. Typically, the sonographic findings would include the observation of the stones, possible hydronephrosis if the obstruction is significant, and any associated changes in kidney morphology. The pain described can be consistent with the location and effects of the stones affecting the ureter or causing discomfort in the renal region.

Other conditions such as angiomyolipoma, sinus lipomatosis, and renal cell carcinoma can also produce changes observable on ultrasound. However, their typical presentations differ significantly from that of nephrolithiasis, and they may not directly correlate with acute epigastric pain in the same manner that kidney stones do.