Renal artery origins: best angiographic projection angles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the best projection angles for imaging the renal artery origins in profile.


METHODS
A mathematical model of the anatomy at the renal artery origins in the transverse plane was used to analyze the amount of aortic lumen that projects over the renal artery origins at various projection angles. Computed tomographic (CT) angiographic data about the location of 400 renal artery origins in 200 patients were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
In patients with an abdominal aortic diameter no larger than 3.0 cm, approximately 0.5 mm of the proximal part of the renal artery and origin may be hidden from view if there is a projection error of +/-10 degrees from the ideal image. A combination of anteroposterior and 20 degrees and 40 degrees left anterior oblique projections resulted in a 92% yield of images that adequately profiled the renal artery origins. Right anterior oblique projections resulted in the least useful images.


CONCLUSIONS
An error in projection angle of +/-10 degrees is acceptable for angiographic imaging of the renal artery origins. Patients sex, site of interest (left or right artery), and local diameter of the abdominal aorta are important factors to consider.
Verschuyl
E J
EJ
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle 98195, USA.
Kaatee
R
R
Beek
F J
FJ
Patel
N H
NH
Fontaine
A B
AB
Daly
C P
CP
Coldwell
D M
DM
Bush
W H
WH
Mali
W P
WP
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media