Digital Subtraction Angiography for Evaluating Patients With Renal Carcinoma

Abstract

I.v. digital subtraction angiography was performed on 39 patients with renal carcinoma. In 19 patients (group 1) imaging of the renal arteries was done following injection of 40 ml i.v. contrast medium through an antecubital vein. In 20 patients (group 2) 40 ml i.v. contrast medium were injected through a femoral vein and digital subtraction imaging of the inferior vena cava was obtained. In 12 of these patients the renal arteries also were visualized from the same injection of contrast medium. Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography of the renal arteries also was done in 5 patients in group 2. I.v. digital subtraction angiography satisfactorily demonstrated main renal arterial anatomy in 29 of 35 patients (83%) over-all but failed to delineate the renal mass in most cases. Excellent visualization of the inferior vena cava was obtained in all 20 patients in group 2. Intraarterial digital subtraction angiography yielded an accurate diagnosis of renal carcinoma in all 5 patients with minimal doses of contrast medium. I.v. digital subtraction imaging combined with computerized tomography scanning or ultrasonography yields satisfactory diagnostic and anatomical information for most patients with renal carcinoma.