Arteriovenous fistula of the native kidney: Diagnosis by duplex Doppler ultrasound

The role of Doppler ultrasound in the study of diseases of the kidney is expanding rapidly. In native organs, it helps in the diagnosis of obstructive pyelocaliectasis, in the management of acute and chronic nephropathies, and in the evaluation of renal tumors. In transplanted kidneys, it is widely used as a means to assess graft perfusion and to detect blood flow changes related to rejection and to other, rarer complications, such as severe pyelonephritis, renal vein obstruction, hydronephrosis, and extrarenal compression. Recently, small postbiopsy asymptomatic fistulas have been diagnosed in transplanted kidneys using color Doppler equipment. In this paper we describe the ultrasonic and Doppler findings observed in a patient with an arteriovenous fistula involving the native kidney.