[Duplex sonography of renal artery stenosis: potentials and limits of frequency spectrum analysis of arterial segments compared with angiography].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the potentials and limits of Doppler waveform analysis of intrarenal vessels in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis.


METHODS
In a three-year study we compared our colour Doppler results of 111 patients with the angiography results. Evaluated parameters were acceleration time (AT), acceleration index (AI) and early systolic peak (ESP).


RESULTS
The sensitivity of severe stenoses (> or = 70%) was 89%. In moderate stenoses (50-70%) it was possible to increase the sensitivity from 56% to 76% if a comparison with the contralateral side was included. The specificity was 91%. Causes for limited sensitivity and specificity were poor examination conditions, stenoses of accessory renal arteries and moderate stenoses as well as diffuse non-stenosing lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
In comparison with angiography, the diagnostic value of Doppler waveform analysis in the detection of renal artery stenoses has specific limitations. In significant stenoses, however, additional valuable haemodynamic information, useful for PTA, can be obtained by this easy and accessible method.
Stuhrmann
M
M
Radiologische Klinik, Universität Witten-Herdecke.
Roefke
C
C
Jahnke
T
T
Cramer
B M
BM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods