Objective:

To explore the values of changes in renal blood flow and shear wave velocity (Vs) in the diagnosis of early stage of acute upper urinary tract obstruction.

Methods:

Ultrasound examination was performed in 50 cases of unilateral upper urinary tract obstruction and 122 cases of normal subjects. The resistance index (RI) of bilateral renal arteries and Vs of bilateral renal cortex were measured.

Results:

In early stage of acute upper urinary tract obstruction

RI values of the obstructed kidneys were slightly higher than those of the contralateral kidneys and control kidneys

but there was no significant difference. Vs values of the obstructed kidneys were significantly higher than those of the contralateral kidneys and contr

ol kidneys

and there were significant differences.

Conclusion:

Acoustic radiation force impulse (AFRI) imaging is a safe

convenient

noninvasive and repeatable tool in the diagnosis of early stage of acute upper urinary tract obstruction and has high accuracy.