[Evaluation of renal intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography]

A total of 68 patients with renal abnormalities and potential donors were examined by intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA). Compared with the conventional angiography, the advantages of IA-DSA are reduction of volume of contrast material and rate of injection. The image quality is superior to intravenous DSA. For the potential donors, IA-DSA has the same diagnostic value as conventional angiography to depict the number and position of renal arteries. IA-DSA is an effective method for screening hypertensive patients for renovascular disease. However, conventional angiography is necessary when evaluation of smaller intra-renal branch is desired. IA-DSA would be valuable for renal recipients because of good visibility by a smaller volume of contrast material. Another advantage of IA-DSA is the reduction of examination time. Embolization can also be done in a shorter time. Renal vein is easily detected by IA-DSA. Renal vein anomalies and obstruction are diagnosed in the left side without conventional venography. Renal IA-DSA can be replaced by conventional arteriography except when the delineation of tiny arterial change is desired.