Bear paw sign (kidney)

Last revised by Dalia Ibrahim on 20 Aug 2022

The bear paw sign refers to the cross-sectional appearance of the kidney affected by xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. There is a radial arrangement of multiple, low attenuation rounded spaces representing dilated calyces, surrounded by thin renal parenchyma that has higher attenuation or contrast enhancement, mimicking the appearance of the dark toe pads on a polar bear's paw.

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