Exorenal circulation of pediatric kidney: evaluation with Power Doppler imaging.

Purpose: The aims of the study were to evaluate the ability of Power Doppler (PD) sonography to demonstrate the collateral circulation of the kidney in pediatric patients and to assess the change in this circulation in patients with decreased cortical blood flow.

Methods: Seventy-seven children were studied by PD sonography to identify capsular and perforating collateral vessels. The study included healthy subjects and patients with acute pyelonephritis (APN) or prenatal pyelectasia.