Unilateral renal artery stenosis: perfusion patterns with electron-beam dynamic CT--preliminary experience.

Renal dynamic computed tomographic (CT) data for 16 patients with unilateral renal artery stenosis were compared with those for 12 control subjects. Three patterns of perfusion were distinguished in stenotic kidneys: pattern A, symmetric time-attenuation curves; pattern B, asymmetric time-attenuation curve with similar perfusion; and pattern C, asymmetric time-attenuation curve with impaired perfusion. Additional functional data can be obtained from the initial timing scan in a CT study of unilateral renal artery stenosis.