Carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography in children.
BACKGROUND
When iodinated contrast material is contraindicated, carbon dioxide (CO2) gas can be injected intravascularly to produce high-quality digital subtraction angiograms.


OBJECTIVE
CO2 angiography, although previously described in adults, has never before been reported in children.


METHODS
We present three children with renal transplants who required renal angiography. Because of elevated creatinine levels, iodinated contrast was not used to search for possible renal artery stenosis. Instead, CO2 angiography was used to evaluate the renal artery anastomosis.


RESULTS
In all three cases, the renal artery anastomosis was clearly visualized using CO2 angiography and showed no evidence of renal artery stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital CO2 angiography is an effective method for pediatric renal angiography. The technique can easily be adapted for virtually any angiographic laboratory capable of digital subtraction imaging. Digital CO2 angiography also lacks the risks of a conventional iodinated contrast medium, namely nephrotoxicity, allergic reaction and volume overload.
Kriss
V M
VM
Department of Diagnostic Radiology University of Kentucky Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0084, USA.
Cottrill
C M
CM
Gurley
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000379:methods; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D002245:Carbon Dioxide