Epinephrine renal venography in acute bacterial infection of the kidney

Epinephrine renal venography was performed in four cases of acute bacterial infection of the kidney. Selective renal arteriography was relatively nonspecific, while venography proved to be more helpful in excluding a malignancy. In cases of renal infection where the venous system of the kidney has not been occluded, epinephrine renal venography delineates the extent and nature of the process better than arteriography. Diffuse attenuation or smooth segmental narrowing of intrarenal veins, absence of irregularly encased veins, and veins draped around, as well as perforating, the abnormal region differentiated tumor from infection. An accurate diagnosis is important in view of the different therapeutic approach to these two entities.