RENAL-ARTERY ORIGINS - BEST ANGIOGRAPHIC PROJECTION ANGLES

PURPOSE: To determine the best projection angles for imaging the renal artery origins in profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mathematical mode l of the anatomy at the renal artery origins in the transverse plane w as used to analyze the amount of aortic lumen that projects over the r enal artery origins at various projection angles. Computed tomographic (CT) angiographic data about the location of 400 renal artery origins in 200 patients were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In patients wit h an abdominal aortic diameter no larger than 3.0 cm, approximately 0. 5 mm of the proximal part of the renal artery and origin may be hidden from view if there is a projection error of +/-10 degrees from the id eal image. A combination of anteroposterior and 20 degrees and 40 degr ees left anterior oblique projections resulted in a 92% yield of image s that adequately profiled the renal artery origins. Right anterior ob lique projections resulted in the least useful images. CONCLUSION: An error in projection angle of +/-10 degrees is acceptable for angiograp hic imaging of the renal artery origins. Patient sex, site of interest (left or right artery), and local diameter of the abdominal aorta are important factors to consider.