Radiographic evaluation of blunt renal trauma

Radiographic evaluation was performed on 18 patients with blunt renal trauma. Of 18 patients 11 had minor injury. Four of 11 patients with minor injury had a normal intravenous pyelogram (IVP), and other 7 were confirmed to have minor renal injury by computed tomographic (CT) scan. Seven patients had major injury. Six patients were diagnosed by both IVP and CT, and five by angiography. CT scan was reliable in major injury and had the high staging accuracy. Angiography was useful in specific patients. Therefore, we conclude that IVP or CT scan should be performed as the initial evaluation, and CT scan or angiography might be used as the second examination in selected patients.