Diagnosis using Angiography

The blood vessels of the kidney are shown pictorially.
In addition to the kidneys and the urinary structures, it is often present to the urologist (but also an internist, for example through the investigation of a kidney-related high blood pressure) is important, the blood vessels of the kidney. This happens, as with the coronary vessels, preferably with the help of angiography. Is applied at the angiography of renal artery stenosis or renal artery occlusion. The representation of the blood supply to a "suspicious" kidneys, such as a horseshoe kidney is also an indication. An account of the penile arteries before elective surgery, such as a vascular-related erectile dysfunction is a common indication of this investigation. In renal insufficiency and contrast allergy can undergo angiography can not be performed.


Contrast agent is administered via the femoral artery.
To perform the angiogram of the leg artery is identified and punctured. Then introduced via the femoral artery, a thin catheter, about the doctor can administer the contrast agent targeted whenever he wants. This is the blood flow under fluoroscopy through the artery, in this case specifically the renal artery, verified.


Modern variant is the digital subtraction angiography.
Very popular in recent years, the so-called digital subtraction angiography (DSA). It takes place over a one-time injection of contrast medium into the arm vein. Then calculated using an image intensifier and a special computer analysis of an image. To the overview image and the image under administration of contrast medium are compared. From the difference of the two images are "calculated" the computer is a picture that represents the vessels selectively.


Pros and Cons DSA.
This method is very elegant, especially because in contrast to conventional angiography has significantly less radiation and contrast media exposure. One drawback is that not so accurate representation of small renal vessels. DSA is one prescribed for renal artery stenosis, especially if done before the operation is simply a diagnosis. But even with space-occupying lesions within the kidney or for follow-up of transplanted kidneys it is often used.