[Evaluation of renal vascularization using amplitude-coded Doppler ultrasound].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefit of "Colour Doppler Energy" (CDE) or "Power Doppler" applications in healthy kidneys and in renal disease including paediatric assessment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Ten healthy volunteers (range: neonate to adults) were studied using conventional colour Doppler sonography (CDS) and CDE in order to evaluate the visibility of intrarenal vasculature. In addition, ten children and ten adults with known renal disease were evaluated. The findings were compared to clinical, scintigraphic and biopsy results. RESULTS: CDE showed far better visualisation of intrarenal vasculature than CDS. CDE demonstrated focal and diffuse reduced cortical perfusion with an overall accuracy of 95% and a sensitivity of 88%. In 7 healthy volunteers cortical vasculature was visualised throughout the kidney. In 3 infants incomplete visualisation was obtained because of motion artifacts. In the diseased kidneys, CDE findings correlated well with clinical findings, scintigraphy results and biopsy findings. CONCLUSION: CDE can be successfully applied to adults and infants demonstrating renal vasculature in healthy kidneys and in kidneys with focally or diffusely altered perfusion.