Abstract
Objective
The objective of this report was to describe and potentially explain differences of
intrarenal color Doppler sonography (CDUS) manifestations between blood flow turbulence
and twinkling artifact.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 32 cases with appearance of focally increased color Doppler
signal on intrarenal CDUS from May 1, 2007, to February 28, 2009. Indications for
intrarenal CDUS in 32 cases were suspicion of renovascular hypertension, investigation
of complications related to renal biopsy, or hematuria. Characteristics of the color
Doppler signal, relationship between color Doppler signal and renal vessels, and the
spectral Doppler sampled at the anatomic site of the focal color signal were analyzed.
The value and pitfall of color Doppler in the diagnosis of the intrarenal vascular
abnormality and detection of renal calculus are discussed.
Results
Thirty-two cases with focally increased color Doppler during sonography of native
or transplanted kidneys were classified into two groups: (1) turbulent blood flow—intrarenal
vascular abnormalities including intrarenal arteriovenous fistula (15 cases) and intrarenal
artery stenosis (eight cases); and (2) color Doppler artifact—twinkling produced by
renal calculus (nine cases). There were differences in the characteristics of the
color Doppler signal, the relationship between the color signal and renal vessel,
and the spectral waveform on CDUS between flow turbulence and twinkling.
Conclusion
Flow turbulence and twinkling artifact on intrarenal CDUS are distinguishable by analyzing
the manifestations on intrarenal CDUS. Proper color Doppler setting and spectral Doppler
play important roles in differentiation between flow turbulence in renal vascular
abnormalities and twinkling produced by renal stones.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 05, 2009
Accepted:
August 20,
2009
Received:
August 1,
2009
Footnotes
☆IRB Protocol No. 0903010283.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
