[Value of helical CT scan in the preoperative assessment of the ureteropelvic junction syndrome].
BACKGROUND
The search for anatomical variants of the renal blood supply is an important element in the choice of surgical technique for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction syndrome.


METHODS
Prospective study of 17 patients (mean age: 33 years), assessed by spiral CT with acquisition of overlapping thin sections during the arterial phase. The renal blood supply anatomical findings were then compared with operative findings in all patients.


RESULTS
We observed a solitary renal artery in 8 cases, a lower pole pedicle crossing the junction in 9 cases and vascular abnormalities in 4 cases. All of these radiological findings were confirmed intraoperatively. Spiral CT, with rapid acquisition during the arterial phase and overlapping thin sections, allows accurate analysis of the renal blood supply. Axial sections are sufficient to provide the necessary anatomical information. Three dimensional reconstructions allow a better spatial visualization of the various structures.


CONCLUSIONS
This examination allows visualization of a possible lower pole artery associated with UPJ syndrome, with identical accuracy to that of renal arteriography, but constitutes a less invasive and less expensive investigation.
Pfister
C
C
Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France.
Thoumas
D
D
Simon
I
I
Benozio
M
M
Grise
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007682:Kidney Pelvis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*