[Diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for accessory renal artery among patients suspected of renal artery stenosis]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of accessory renal artery (ARA) in patients suspected of renal artery stenosis. Methods: Cases were derived from patients suspected diagnosis of renal artery stenosis during October 2017 and July 2018 by CEUS.A total of 28 kidneys with ARA in 25 cases were diagnosed by dynamic continuous observation by two ultrasound physicians separately. If there was disagreement, the superior physician would made the judgment. DSA or CTA examination was performed at the same period, and its consistency with CEUS diagnosis of ARA was analyzed. Results: DSA or CTA identified RAS in 32 ARA, color-coded duplex ultrasonography (CCDS) in 12 and CEUS in 28. The sensitivity in detecting ARA was 37.5% for CCDS and 84.4% for CEUS, the specificity was 0% for CCDS and 94.4% for CEUS, while the accuracy was significantly different with CCDS compared with CEUS (60.0% vs 88.0%). Thus, CEUS significantly improved the ARA detection rate compared with CCDS (84.4% vs 37.5%, χ(2)=15.56, P<0.01). Compared with CTA or DSA, CEUS showed good consistency in ARA diagnosis (kappa value was 0.752, P<0.05). Conclusion: CEUS can display and evaluate ARA in real time accurately, which provides a new technology for further clinical research of ARA.

Keywords: Accessory renal artery; Diagnosis; Ultrasonography.