Color Doppler US of renovascular disease in native kidneys

One hundred eighty-seven native kidneys in 96 patients were examined with color Doppler ultrasound (US) to (a) determine the color Doppler US characteristics of renovascular disorders and (b) assess the value of color Doppler US in detection of such disorders. Correlative angiography or computed tomography was performed in 94 patients. The following renovascular disorders were found: renal artery (RA) stenosis (40 cases), RA thrombosis (13 cases), RA aneurysm (four cases), renal vein thrombosis (three cases), arteriovenous fistula (three cases), peripheral infarction (one case of bilateral infarcts), and distal occlusive disease (three cases). One case of aortal coarctation was also found. Color Doppler US failed to demonstrate the proximal main RA in 25% of cases (among 193 RAs total including supernumerary RAs). The sensitivity and specificity of color Doppler US for the detection of RA stenosis or thrombosis were 89% and 99%, respectively. Color Doppler US thus appears to be effective in the diagnosis of renovascular disease in native kidneys.