Characteristics and causes of an enlarged kidney

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The mass lies in a paracolic gutter, it moves with respiration, is dull to percussion, and can be felt bimanually. It can also be balloted (i.e. bounced, like a ball (balla = ball (Italian)) between your hands, one placed on the anterior abdominal wall and one on the posterior abdominal wall.

Causes of an enlarged kidney: renal carcinoma, hydronephrosis, pyonephrosis, perinephric abscess, polycystic disease, nephroblastoma.

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