5.4\ Coronal Section of the

Kidney: Evaluation

of Intrarenal Artery

Branches

Fig. 9.20  Coronal section of the kidney: evaluation of intrarenal artery branches

5.4.1\ Scanning Method

The patient should be in a lateral position. The probe is placed vertically on the lateral lumbar region and adjusted to show the maximum coronal section of the kidney.

5.4.2\ Section Structure

Coronal section of the kidney, intrarenal artery branches (segmental artery, interlobar artery, arcuate artery, interlobular artery).

5.4.3\ Measurement Method and Normal Value

Normally, all levels of the intrarenal artery can be clearly shown and distribute to the kidney symmetrically.

5.4.4\ Clinical Application Value

No blood signal in the kidney indicates an occlusion of the main renal artery, and kidney atrophy may be seen in the chronic stage. A missing local blood signal indicates a renal artery branch occlusion. In patients with a severe renal artery stenosis, the intrarenal blood signal may be sparse and dark; the spectrum shows a parvus– tardus pattern. In patients with chronic renal dysfunction, the distribution of the intrarenal blood signal is usually sparse. In the acute stage of a main renal vein thrombosis, the kidney is enlarged, there is no venous blood signal in the kidney, and the resistance of the renal artery increases. After the collateral circulation is established, there is no remarkable change in the kidney and the artery. In the case of a renal venous branch thrombosis, there is only local disappearance of the venous signal.