Accuracy of computed tomography in diagnosing renal artery injuries

The accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of renal artery injury has not been resolved. Since 1982, 428 patients with renal trauma have been evaluated at our institutions, 35 of whom were suspected of having a severe renal injury by clinical examination and initial urography and were managed by repeated clinical observation and CT scans. Seven of these patients had main or branch renal artery injuries, all of which were diagnosed with CT by the absence of opacification or lack of enhancement of the kidney or a renal segment and confirmed by arteriography, surgery, or follow-up radiologic studies. In our experience, CT was accurate in the diagnosis of renal artery injury.