Renal Angiography in Ureteric Obstruction: Case Report

Abstract

A patient with a probably longstanding ureteric obstruction is reported. At urography, no visible excretion from the left kidney was found. Abdominal angiography showed that the width of the left renal artery was less than 50% of that of the right one. Such a reduction in the diametre of the renal artery usually indicates a poor residual renal function. In this case, however, release of the obstruction gave a good restoration of the renal function. The mechanism of the narrowing of the renal artery after ureteric obstruction is discussed. It can be concluded that the width of the renal artery alone does not decide the potential function of the human kidney after complete stasis.