Renal trauma: evaluation by computerized tomography.

The diagnosis and appropriate management of patients with renal trauma have remained controversial. From July 1981 to June 1984 we evaluated with computerized tomography 22 selected patients suspected of sustaining major renal trauma. Of these patients 17 were managed successfully with conservative therapy and 5 underwent surgical exploration. Only 2 patients required arteriography because of excellent renal delineation provided by computerized tomography scanning. Computerized tomography provides the most precise anatomical detail of renal injuries as well as valuable information regarding other retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal structures, often resulting in the identification of associated and unsuspected injuries. We advocate the use of computerized tomography as the primary diagnostic modality in patients suspected of sustaining major renal injury and/or other organ injuries. This change in diagnostic studies has facilitated greatly the diagnosis and treatment of kidney injuries.