Computed tomographic evaluation of blunt renal injuries.

Adequate radiologic demonstration of the extent of renal injury following blunt abdominal trauma is an important guide to therapy. Traditionally, the evaluation has been based on urographic and/or angiographic studies. This report details the results of computed tomographic (CT) evaluation of suspected renal injuries in ten patients. Renal injuries were demonstrated by CT in nine of these patients. Abnormalities demonstrated were subcapsular/perinephric hematomas, intrarenal hematomas, renal lacerations, segmental infarcts, and contrast material extravasation. This study suggests that CT is valuable in providing further definition of urographic abnormalities and in avoiding the necessity for angiography in otherwise stable patients.