Amplitude coded-colour Doppler sonography in paediatric renal disease

The aim of our study was to assess the ability of amplitude coded-colour Do ppler sonography (ACDS) to depict altered perfusion in paediatric renal dis ease in a prospective study. Colour Doppler sonography (CDS) and ACDS exami nations were performed in 180 renal units (90 patients; age range newborn t o 16 years) with unilateral or bilateral renal disease (e. g. reflux nephro pathy, renal scars, end-stage renal disease, ureteropelvic junction obstruc tion, urinary tract infection, renal failure, haemolytic uraemic syndrome, nephrotic syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (LE). renal biopsy, congen ital dysplasia, tumour/infiltration). The ACDS results were compared with s cintigraphy or CT as well as to clinical findings. Amplitude colour-coded D oppler sonography accurately demonstrated normal vasculature in 49 of 51 he althy kidneys ( = 96 %); 3 healthy kidneys could not be evaluated due to mo tion/artefacts. In 39 of 43 kidneys with focally altered perfusion ACDS cou ld be performed and correctly depicted focally impaired vasculature/perfusi on in 35 kidneys ( = 89.7 %). Seventy-three of 83 kidneys with diffusely im paired perfusion could be evaluated by ACDS and altered pattern was correct ly depicted in 58 kidneys ( = 79.4 %), with an overall percent age of agree ment of 87.1 %. Amplitude CDS appears to be useful in infants and children. Compared with CDS it improves visualisation of especially focally impaired vasculature/perfusion and should be considered a valuable adjunct to conve ntional investigations.