CT evaluation of the retroperitoneal vasculature

A review of the computed angiotomographic appearances of retroperitoneal vessels in health and disease is offered. Normal anatomy and congenital anomalies is emphasized so that normal variants of arterial and venous anatomy does not lead to a mistaken diagnosis of adenopathy and incorrect staging of a particular neoplasm. The role of CT in analyzing caval and renal invasion by renal cell carcinoma and in providing important information about aortic disease and its sequela is discussed.