COLOR DOPPLER US OF RENOVASCULAR DISEASE IN NATIVE KIDNEYS

One hundred eighty-seven native kidneys in 96 patients were examined w ith color Doppler ultrasound (US) to (a) determine the color Doppler U S characteristics of renovascular disorders and (b) assess the value o f color Doppler US in detection of such disorders. Correlative angiogr aphy or computed tomography was performed in 94 patients. The followin g renovascular disorders were found: renal artery (RA) stenosis (40 ca ses), RA thrombosis (13 cases), RA aneurysm (four cases), renal vein t hrombosis (three cases), arteriovenous fistula (three cases), peripher al infarction (one case of bilateral infarcts), and distal occlusive d isease (three cases). One case of aortal coarctation was also found. C olor Doppler US failed to demonstrate the proximal main RA in 25% of c ases (among 193 RAs total including supernumerary RAs). The sensitivit y and specificity of color Doppler US for the detection of RA stenosis or thrombosis were 89% and 99%, respectively. Color Doppler US thus a ppears to be effective in the diagnosis of renovascular disease in nat ive kidneys.