Radiologic diagnosis of renal trauma.

Computed tomography is the diagnostic procedure of choice for the evaluation of significant blunt abdominal trauma. It not only assesses the extent and character of renal injury, but also identifies the presence of intraperitoneal hemorrhage and parenchymal injury. It allows the best opportunity to diagnose and salvage the injured renal pedicle, and to discover the pathologic renal injury. Urography should be reserved for use in patients with penetrating abdominal trauma and isolated renal trauma.