Abstract
Ralph Graham 1 applied the method of Hill 2 to the injection of the vascular tree in the human kidney. The method, involving the injection of a 25% bismuth oxychloride suspension in 10% acacia, is applicable to postmortem material. In such kidneys it demonstrates pictorially the blood vessels in x-ray photographs in a manner superior to the barium injections previously used. Since we wished to demonstrate the changes induced by the action of various agents on the renal vessels during life we set out to adapt the method of Hill and Graham to this end.
It is apparent that such solid particles are rapidly removed from the blood stream upon injection, and so in order to obtain them in sufficient concentration in a particular organ to demonstrate the vessels roentgenologically, the opaque substance must be injected directly into or close to the origin of the artery supplying the organ. As we were interested in comparing the relative appearance of the vascular beds in the 2 kidneys, the aorta close to the origin of the renal arteries was chosen as the site of injection.
Dogs were used throughout. Under general anesthesia (Nembutal—Abbott) a left paravertebral incision was made extending from a point 2 cm. above the costal margin caudad for a distance of 7-10 cm. The last rib was removed without opening the pleural cavity and the aorta was approached extraperitoneally and exposed between the crura of the diaphragm. It was also exposed below the origin of the renal vessels at which point it was clamped. The upper segment was lifted into view upon the finger and 50 cc. of a 25% suspension of bismuth oxychloride injected into the aorta through a large bore needle. (bismuth oxychloride (Cosmetic) 25 gm.— —water q.s. ad 100 cc.)
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