Renal arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysm: sonographic findings

• Published in: Radiology Vol. 149; no. 1; p. 261
• Main Authors: Subramanyam, B R, Lefleur, R S, Bosniak, M A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1983
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnosis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Renal Artery - abnormalities; Renal Veins - abnormalities; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0033-8419
• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.149.1.6611935

Two cases of congenital renal arteriovenous fistula and one case of intrarenal arterial aneurysm that were prospectively evaluated by real-time sonography are presented. The cirsoid type arteriovenous fistula had a characteristic sonographic appearance and was seen as a cluster of tubular anechoic structures within the kidney; it was supplied by an enlarged renal artery and drained by a dilated renal vein. Both the fistula (aneurysmal type) and the renal artery aneurysm were associated with a peripheral thrombus in the wall of the aneurysm and a central tubular anechoic lumen. The arterial aneurysm was also associated with visible pulsations on real-time sonograms. When present, the sonographic features as seen in these cases should facilitate a correct diagnosis, or at least suggest a renal lesion of vascular origin to be confirmed by renal angiography.