The value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of double renal arteries

Objective To discuss the sonographic features of double renal arteries (DRAs) and assess the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of DRAs. Methods The sonographic images from 10 patients with 11 pairs of DRAs, who were diagnosed by both ultrasound and CT angiography (CTA) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2017 to June 2018, were evaluated and results were compared with those from CTA. Results The CTA showed that all 11 pairs of DRAs originated from the lateral wall of the abdominal aorta and supplied blood to the renal tissue through the renal portal. The location of 18 (81.8%) renal arteries was at the level of the 1st~2nd lumbar spine. The diameters of the two renal arteries in 6 pairs of DRAs were obviously different. All of the 11 pairs of DRAs and the one pair of DRAs with severe stenosis could be accurately diagnosed by sonography. The PSV values of the main and accessory renal arteries in 9 pairs of normal DRAs were (94.9±40.8) cm/s and (81.0±41.7) cm/s, and the RI values were 0.66±0.06 and 0.67±0.07, respectively. The PSV values of the corresponding interlobar arteries were (35.0±17.5) cm/s and (28.8±7.5) cm/s, and the RI values were 0.63±0.08 and 0.63±0.09 and the AT values were (0.038±0.013) s and (0.044±0.021) s, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in PSV and RI between the main and accessory renal arteries, neither in PSV, RI and AT of the corresponding interlobar arteries between the two renal arteries (all P>0.05). The openings of 21 renal arteries could be clearly located, among which 5 pairs of DRAs had close openings ( 2 cm). In all 11 pairs of DRAs, the display rates of renal artery openings were 95.5% on the abdominal median transverse section (21/22) and 63.6% (14/22) on the lateral coronary section, respectively. The course of all the DRAs could be seen clearly on the lateral coronary section. Conclusions Ultrasonography can make a definite diagnosis of the DRAs, which can provide reliable hemodynamic information. Combined with different sonographic sections, the location and course of the DRAs can be accurately evaluated. Key words: Double renal arteries; Renal artery variation; Ultrasonography