Traumatic bilateral renal artery thrombosis: Pitfalls in computed tomographic diagnosis

Abstract

Traumatic bilateral renal artery thrombosis (BRAT) is a rare injury that requires rapid recognition to optimize the chances for successful revascularization. The computed tomographic (CT) findings of BRAT may not be readily appreciated, since the injury potentially results in symmetrically diminished nephrograms. When CT is performed in the setting of acute trauma, particularly when using fast or spiral scanning techniques, bilateral renal contrast excretion into the collecting systems must be documented to ensure renal perfusion. When the CT diagnosis is equivocal, CT-angiography or conventional renal angiography is indicated.