Digital subtraction angiography assisted ultrasound puncture in a pelvic kidney

Abstract

A new technique for percutaneous nephrostomy needle guidance is presented. It was applied in a patient with a solitary pelvic kidney, where ultrasound guidance was not feasible because of a very narrow puncture window. Typical intravenous urography was not useful, owing to poor opacification of the collecting system. We describe how the use of digital subtraction imaging eventually permitted us to establish a percutaneous nephrostomy tube safely, avoiding the intestine and blood vessels.