Detection of a traumatic renal arterial venous fistula by radionuclide angiography (RNA)

Radionuclide angiography is a valuable screening test for arteriovenous (AV) fistulas. A case is presented of a young man with a post-traumatic AV fistula involving the renal artery and vein initially diagnosed by radionuclide imaging and subsequently confirmed by angiography. In the patient described dynamic flow studies showed concentration at the site of an AV fistula which was successfully treated operatively. We now recommend radionuclide angiography in patients with penetrating abdominal trauma and unexplained abdominal findings.