Renal arteriovenous malformation: sonographic findings

Abstract

Background and methods: Renal arteriovenous malformation (RAVM) is a relatively rare congenital disease. Although sonography (US) currently is the first diagnostic tool for examining the kidney, its US and color Doppler findings have seldom been reported. We reviewed the clinical manifestations and US results of five cases of RAVM to clarify the role and limitations of US in the diagnosis.

Results: The lesions were solitary in all cases, and the affected side was the right in four cases and the left in one case. In four cases, the patients complained of hematuria, but the remaining case had no symptoms. US did not detect the lesion, but in all cases color Doppler US showed a focal vascular lesion with posterior color spots. US reexamination with knowledge of the Doppler results did not show any focal lesion.

Conclusion: US was not diagnostic for RAVM, and color Doppler US should be performed immediately in patients with hematuria.