Angiographic findings in renal amyloidosis

The renal angiographic and venographic findings in five patients with renal amyloidosis are described. The findings include (1) normal or slightly decreased main renal artery; (2) pruning, tortuosity, and irregularity of the distal interlobar arteries, associated with smooth cortical margin and relatively homogeneous nephrogram; (3) nonvisualization of interlobular arteries; (4) asymmetric and uneven involvement of the kidneys; (5) prominent extrarenal arteries; and (6) renal vein thrombosis, frequently involving segmental and interlobar veins. Angiographic differential points between renal amyloidosis and other chronic renal parenchymal diseases are discussed with emphasis on the clinical history.