Investigations

CT is the method of choice for diagnosing renal injury; it not only detects morphological changes in the kidneys but also shows injuries to other organs

• important because renal trauma is often associated with multiple injuries
• CT with contrast material detects both morphological and activity changes in the injured kidney

In addition to the investigations required to exclude damage to other abdominal organs, the following tests are relevant to kidney damage:

• intravenous urogram:
  • performed when the patient has been resuscitated
  • gives information concerning the renal function on both sides
  • demonstrates any extravasation from the urinary tract
    
    
• renal arteriography:
  • may demonstrate the source of haemorrhage
  • may permit therapeutic embolization
  • rarely used
    
    
• renal ultrasound
  • ultrasonography can be used both to establish the diagnosis of renal trauma