Background and Aims: To discuss sources of error and pitfalls of color duplex sonography (CDUS) in screening for renovascular hypertension (RVH).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with positive CDUS in patients with suspected RVH from May 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009. Manifestations of RVH on CDUS were analyzed. The results of main renal artery stenosis on CDUS were confirmed with that of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomographic angiography (CTA), or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS in screening for RVH were identified. RVH was classified into three groups: 1) main renal artery stenosis (RAS); 2) intrarenal artery stenosis; and 3) intrarenal arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

Results: Two cases of false positive and two cases of false negative main RAS on CDUS were corrected by MRA or DSA. Three cases with intrarenal artery stenosis and four cases with intrarenal AVF were not visualized at the initial CDUS but detected on repeat studies. Peak systolic velocity > 2 m/s at the stenotic artery was the most sensitive parameter for detecting RAS in either main renal artery or intrarenal artery. Acceleration time > 0.07 m/s in the intrarenal artery was seen in only 10 cases (10 /20, 50%) with hemodynamically significant main RAS (>60% arterial lumen reduction).

Conclusions: Some pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS can be corrected and minimized with proper scanning and interpretation.  Intrarenal RAS and AVF should be investigated with optimized Doppler settings. CDUS, with its advantages outweighing its limitations, should be considered a first line study in screening for RVH by experienced ultrasound professionals.

"/> Background and Aims: To discuss sources of error and pitfalls of color duplex sonography (CDUS) in screening for renovascular hypertension (RVH).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with positive CDUS in patients with suspected RVH from May 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009. Manifestations of RVH on CDUS were analyzed. The results of main renal artery stenosis on CDUS were confirmed with that of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomographic angiography (CTA), or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS in screening for RVH were identified. RVH was classified into three groups: 1) main renal artery stenosis (RAS); 2) intrarenal artery stenosis; and 3) intrarenal arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

Results: Two cases of false positive and two cases of false negative main RAS on CDUS were corrected by MRA or DSA. Three cases with intrarenal artery stenosis and four cases with intrarenal AVF were not visualized at the initial CDUS but detected on repeat studies. Peak systolic velocity > 2 m/s at the stenotic artery was the most sensitive parameter for detecting RAS in either main renal artery or intrarenal artery. Acceleration time > 0.07 m/s in the intrarenal artery was seen in only 10 cases (10 /20, 50%) with hemodynamically significant main RAS (>60% arterial lumen reduction).

Conclusions: Some pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS can be corrected and minimized with proper scanning and interpretation.  Intrarenal RAS and AVF should be investigated with optimized Doppler settings. CDUS, with its advantages outweighing its limitations, should be considered a first line study in screening for RVH by experienced ultrasound professionals.

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ARTICLE AUTHORS
ARTICLE INFO

Pitfalls and Sources of Error of Color Duplex Sonography in Screening for Renovascular Hypertension

AUTHORS

Jing Gao 1 , * , George Shih 2 , Yong Ho Auh 2 , Martin R Prince 2 , Jason Funderburk 2 , Amelia Ng 2 , Robert Min 2

1 Department of Radiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, [email protected], USA

2 Department of Radiology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital of Weill Cornell Medical College, USA

How to Cite: Gao J, Shih G, Auh Y, Prince M, Funderburk J, et al. Pitfalls and Sources of Error of Color Duplex Sonography in Screening for Renovascular Hypertension , Nephro-Urol Mon. Online ahead of Print ; 2(1):212-223.

ARTICLE INFORMATION

Nephro-Urology Monthly: 2 (1); 212-223
Article Type: Research Article
Received: July 19, 2009
Accepted: August 1, 2009
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Abstract

Background and Aims: To discuss sources of error and pitfalls of color duplex sonography (CDUS) in screening for renovascular hypertension (RVH).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 47 patients with positive CDUS in patients with suspected RVH from May 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009. Manifestations of RVH on CDUS were analyzed. The results of main renal artery stenosis on CDUS were confirmed with that of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computed tomographic angiography (CTA), or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS in screening for RVH were identified. RVH was classified into three groups: 1) main renal artery stenosis (RAS); 2) intrarenal artery stenosis; and 3) intrarenal arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

Results: Two cases of false positive and two cases of false negative main RAS on CDUS were corrected by MRA or DSA. Three cases with intrarenal artery stenosis and four cases with intrarenal AVF were not visualized at the initial CDUS but detected on repeat studies. Peak systolic velocity > 2 m/s at the stenotic artery was the most sensitive parameter for detecting RAS in either main renal artery or intrarenal artery. Acceleration time > 0.07 m/s in the intrarenal artery was seen in only 10 cases (10 /20, 50%) with hemodynamically significant main RAS (>60% arterial lumen reduction).

Conclusions: Some pitfalls and sources of error of CDUS can be corrected and minimized with proper scanning and interpretation.  Intrarenal RAS and AVF should be investigated with optimized Doppler settings. CDUS, with its advantages outweighing its limitations, should be considered a first line study in screening for RVH by experienced ultrasound professionals.

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