Characteristics and causes of an enlarged kidney
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.