Renal Doppler ultrasound examination of ureteral obstruction in rabbits: effects of different sites and degrees of obstruction on renal resistive index

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the usefulness of Doppler resistive index (RI) in the diagnosis and follow-up of obstructive uropathy of different degrees and different sites of obstruction. METHODS: Forty-six rabbits were classified as follows: group I, partial unilateral obstruction of the proximal ureter (n = 16); group II, complete unilateral obstruction of the proximal ureter (n = 17); group III, complete unilateral obstruction of the distal ureter (n = 13). The RI of the obstructed and contralateral kidneys was measured preoperatively and postoperatively 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, respectively. In each group, the RI was analyzed for statistical differences in the preoperative versus postoperative kidneys, and the obstructed versus contralateral kidneys. We also analyzed the statistical differences in RIs of the obstructed kidneys, in interrenal RI differences (DeltaRI: RI of the obstructed kidney - RI of the contralateral kidney), and in RI ratio (RI of the obstructed kidney / RI of the contralateral kidney) between the 3 groups. RESULTS: The RIs in the obstructed versus contralateral kidneys were significantly increased (P < 0.05) postoperatively at 1 hour, 1 day, and 2 weeks in group I; 6 hours and 1 week in group II; and 1 hour, 6 hours, and 3 days in group III. In obstructed kidneys, the RIs in the postoperative versus preoperative kidneys were significantly increased (P < 0.05) from 1 hour to 2 weeks in group I and from 1 hour to 4 weeks in group II. There were no statistically significant differences in mean RI, DeltaRI, and RI ratio between the 3 groups during the preoperative and postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler RI can be elevated in hydronephrotic kidney as a result of both partial and complete obstruction of the ureter. There are no RI differences among obstructed kidneys with different degree and different site of ureteral obstruction.