The role of angiography in renal trauma

The great majority of renal injuries are minor, are treated conservatively and are adequately assessed by clinical examination and high dose intravenous urography. When severe renal injury is suspected and surgery is being considered, angiography is of great value in accurately defining the extent of injury and rationalising management. During the past four years we have carried out angiography for the assessment of renal trauma in 21 patients admitted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Four of these cases have been described.