This study was performed toreview the results of renal artery duplex ultrasound (RADUS) performed in a single institution and to assess the limitations of the procedure and appropriate indications for RADUS in 2010.

The records of 51 consecutive patients undergoing RADUS for the investigation of possible native renal artery stenosis from 1/3/08 to 30/4/09 in a single centre were reviewed. One patient was excluded as they had previously had arenal artery stent placed. The patient demographics, indications for the study and results of the investigation were recorded for the remaining 50 patients. Record was also made of the results of subsequent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) investigations. There was a minimum of 1 year...

The 50 patients had a mean age of 48 years (range 16 to 80); there were 22 males and 28 females. Indications for RADUS were: 33 for hypertension, 5 for hypertension and renal impairment, 1 for hypertension and nephrotic syndrome, 1 hypertension and AAA, 1 hypertension and cardiomyopathy, 1 for bruit and 8 for renal impairment alone. The right main renal artery was demonstrated in 28/50 patients and the left in 27/50; both left and right renal arteries were demonstrated in 23/50 patients (46%). In...

Renal artery duplex ultrasoundhas been seen asan attractive method of investigating patients for renal artery stenosis as it is non-invasive and it does not involve potentially harmful ionizing radiation or contrast agents. It is also relatively cheap. However it is a time consuming and technically demanding examination. Even in experienced hands the sensitivity is around 70%1. Alternative non-invasive imaging options include CT angiography2 and MR angiography3. This study has shown that it was possible to perform doppler analysis of bilateral renal arteries in only 23/50...

Stuart Barnard is a Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist at Middlemore Hospital/Counties Manukau District Health Board in South Auckland. His interests include body imaging and vascular and non-vascular intervention.

1.Renal arterial stenosis: prospective comparison of color Doppler US and breath-hold, three-dimensional, dynamic, gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography.De Cobelli F, Venturini M, Vanzulli A, Sironi S, Salvioni M, Angeli E, Scifo P, Garancini MP, Quartagno R, Bianchi G, Del Maschio A. Radiology. 2000 Feb;214(2):373-80. 2. De Cobelli F, Venturini M, Vanzulli A, Sironi S, Salvioni M, Angeli E, Scifo P, Garancini MP, Quartagno R, Bianchi G, Del Maschio A. Renal arterial stenosis: prospective comparison of color Doppler US and breath-hold, three-dimensional, dynamic, gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography. Radiology. 2000...