RENAL-ARTERY ORIGINS - LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE TRANSVERSE PLANE AT CT

Citation
Ej. Verschuyl et al., RENAL-ARTERY ORIGINS - LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION IN THE TRANSVERSE PLANE AT CT, Radiology, 203(1), 1997, pp. 71-75
Citations number
20
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Journal title
ISSN journal
00338419
Volume
203
Issue
1
Year of publication
1997
Pages
71 - 75
Database
ISI
SICI code
0033-8419(1997)203:1<71:RO-LAD>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the in situ location and distribution of the ren al artery origins in the transverse plane with computed tomography (CT ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans of the paired main renal arteries i n 200 patients (89 men, 111 women) were retrospectively reviewed. The locations of the renal artery origins, defined on the basis of their o ptimal profile angles, and the angle between them were measured. The d egree of aortic atherosclerosis was graded in 119 of the 200 patients. RESULTS: The origins of 400 paired main renal arteries were identifie d. A statistically significant difference was found between the averag e best profile angle on the right (24 degrees [range, 26 degrees-70 de grees]) and that on the left (5 degrees [range, -75 degrees to 38 degr ees]) (P < .001). Truly laterally located renal arteries were seen on the right in 11 (5%) of 200 right renal arteries and on the left in 56 (28%) of 200 left renal arteries. One hundred eighty-six (93%) of 200 right ostia and only 40 (20%) of 200 left ostia were in an anterolate ral location. One hundred four (52%) of 200 left ostia and three (2%) of 200 right ostia were in a posterolateral location. The prevalence o f truly opposite renal arteries was 17%. The average profile angle bet ween the renal artery origins was 161 degrees (range, 72 degrees-225 d egrees) and was significantly larger in women (P = .001). No relations hip was found between ostial location and patient age or atherosclerot ic grade. CONCLUSION: In the transverse plane, the location of the ori gin of the right renal artery tended to be anterolateral and of the le ft renal artery tended to be posterolateral or lateral. The variation in location and distribution width was great.