Selective renal venography in the evaluation of a non-functioning hydronephrotic kidney

A case is presented in which extreme hydronephrosis simulated absence of the right kidney. The hydronephrosis occurred as a result of surgical ligation of the right ureter 10 years previously. There was no visualization of the excretory system by intravenous urography or retrograde pyelography. Abdominal aortography did not show the renal artery. Selective renal venography revealed a patent venous bed with splaying and thinning of the intrarenal veins. The contribution of renal venography is discussed in clarifying cases in which the kidney and the renal artery were not visualized.