Diagnosis, therapy monitoring and follow up of renal artery pseudoaneurysm with contrast-enhanced ultrasound in three cases

Abstract

We describe the presentation of renal artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP) in different imaging modalities (CT, DSA, standard US, contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)). In particular the benefit of CEUS with regards to therapy monitoring and follow up care shall be highlighted. Three patients with renal artery pseudoaneurysm after renal surgery were investigated with CT and/or US (grey-scaled US, color duplex US, CEUS), respectively. The therapy (angiography-coiling) was monitored using contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Accurate diagnosis of RAP in our study was yielded using color duplex US and CEUS. CEUS was very practical for therapy monitoring of coil embolization with the potential of shortening the invasive DSA. Thus, CEUS has potential of radiation dose reduction and the potential of saving coils with the result of cost reduction. CEUS is an appropriate approach for monitoring coil embolization of RAP.