[Analysis of 42 patients with renal trauma--radiographic assessment of surgical application].

We treated 42 patients with renal trauma between 1988 and 1994. There were 18 cases of renal contusion, 12 of minor laceration, 6 of major laceration, 5 of renal rupture and 1 of major laceration with pedicle injury. Thirty-two patients were treated by conservative management, 10 were treated surgically, 9 by simple nephrectomy and 1 by partial nephrectomy. Excretory urography was performed in 27 patients. For stage evaluation, these cases were classified into 4 groups. I: The renal pelvis and calices were clearly enhanced. II: The renal pelvis was enhanced but part of the calix was not. III: The renal pelvis was not clearly enhanced and only some calices were enhanced. IV: The renal pelvis and calices were unenhanced. In addition, computerized tomography was carried out in 24 patients. We believe that cases with classification as III or IV in excretory urography, incomplete enhancement by computerized tomography, and recognized extravasation should be treated operatively.