Spontaneous renal artery dissection with renal infarction: a case report

A 58-year-old woman visited our hospital with nausea and right flank pain. At first abdominal ultrasonography was performed, suggesting a right renal infarction. Computed tomography (CT) study of the abdomen with intravenous contrast was performed to determine the cause of the symptoms. The scan revealed poor enhancement in the lower half of the right kidney. She was diagnosed with a right renal infarction. She was initially treated with anticoagulant therapy, but 5 days later, she complained of nausea. This time, CT demonstrated exacerbation of a right renal infarction with renal artery dissection. Based on this finding, we performed a right nephrectomy. The result of pathology was segmental arterial mediolysis. She was discharged 12 days after the surgery and is doing well at 6 months after discharge. Spontaneous renal artery dissection is a rare disease. It constitutes approximately 0.05% of arteriographic dissections. In addition, spontaneous renal artery dissection shows nonspecific symptoms. Together, these two factors may cause a delay in diagnosis.     

A case of giant renal artery aneurysm

A 72-year-old woman consulted our hospital for a cystic mass in the right kidney. Ultrasonography and drip infusion pyelography revealed a right renal cystic mass 10 cm in diameter and right hydronephrosis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a giant mass with partial calcification in the right renal hilus. The mass was diagnosed the fusiform aneurysm 10 cm in diameter occurring in the main stem of right renal artery by selective abdominal angiography and 3-dimensional CT. We performed total nephrectomy and the histological finding was atherosclerosis. A total of 485 cases of renal artery aneurysm have been reported in Japan. These cases and 15 cases of renal artery aneurysm more than 5.0 cm in diameter are herein reviewed.     

Left renal infarction due to dissecting aneurysm of the renal arterial branch

Primary renal artery dissection is a rare condition that causes renal infarction and renovascular hypertension. We describe a case of a 48-year-old man who was admitted for left renal infarction due to a primary dissecting aneurysm of renal artery. He was diagnosed by a contrast enhanced abdominal CT scan and a renal angiography demonstrating a dissection at the branch of the left renal artery. He was treated with conservative medical management, including anticoagulation therapy. Forty-five primary renal artery dissections in 38 patients from previous reports were analyzed. Based on this analysis, many cases of primary renal artery dissection were male and had a high blood pressure. Primary renal artery dissection occurred at the right side (12 cases), left side (19), and bilaterally (7). The renal arterial branches were rarely involved in primary renal artery dissection. Assays of peripheral blood renin activity were performed in 15 patients, and all cases had a high value. Therefore, the present case is thought to be unique because he was a normotensive patient with normal plasma renin activity and the renal arterial branch was only dissected.     

Technical consideration in management of renovascular hypertension in an infant with double renal arteries

Renovascular hypertension is a curable disease that has recently been recognized with increasing frequency. A renal scan in a 1-month-old hypertensive white male showed diminished function of the right kidney, and his peripheral vein renin was elevated. Multiple antihypertensive medications failed to control his hypertension, and right kidney function deteriorated. An arteriogram showed two stenotic renal arteries supplying the right kidney. The smaller inferior artery supplied 35% of the kidney. Selective vein renin levels were greater than 15,000 ng/dL on the right side. Technical considerations in the repair of this lesion included midline transabdominal incision to expose the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava; dissection of inferior vena cava (IVC) with division of selected lumbar veins; full mobilization of right kidney and transsection of both renal arteries and the renal vein; perfusion of kidney via each renal artery with cold Sach's solution after resection of arterial stenoses; end-to-side microvascular anastomosis of the smaller (2 mm) renal artery to the main renal artery at the hilum with 10-0 nylon over in situ perfusion cannula; renal artery passed under the IVC to the aorta; and right kidney autotransplanted to a new site on the abdominal aorta with an end-to-side (5.0 mm) renal artery to the aorta and an end-to-side renal vein to IVC anastomosis. Following revascularization, perfusion was excellent and the blood pressure returned to normal. At 6 months follow-up, selective renal vein renins were normal and an arteriogram showed no stenosis. Meticulous dissection, cold perfusion, microvascular anastomosis, and autotransplantation salvaged this kidney and resolved the hypertension.     

Renal autotransplantation in a patient with acute renal infarction following surgery for a dissecting aneurysm

A 58-year-old woman experienced a sudden onset of severe chest and back pain and thus visited our center in October 1999. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. The CT also demonstrated a 50 mm ascending aorta and dissection from the ascending aorta via the abdominal aorta to the level of the left renal artery. The perioperative transesophageal echocardiogram showed an intimal tear in the ascending aorta without valvular abnormality. Therefore, we performed graft replacement of the ascending aorta. On the first postoperative day, she developed oliguria and showed a sudden rise in serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, necessitating hemodialysis. She required daily hemodialysis or hemofiltration for twenty days. Thereafter, renal function recovered and dialysis was no longer performed. However, on postoperative day 26, the patient complained of sudden lumber pain. Unheralded oliguria was associated with worsening renal function. A CT scan at this point revealed infarction of the left kidney. During surgery, the left kidney was excised for heterotopic autotransplantation. Extensive thrombosis within a true lumen of the left renal artery was revealed. Following removal of the thrombus and perfusion with heparinized cold saline, renal autotransplantation to a heterotopic site in the pelvis were performed. Although the patient required hemodialysis for five days, renal function recovered gradually. She was discharged five months later. In our experience, it appears that heterotopic renal autotransplantation by which normal arterial perfusion distal to the dissection is reestablished is a good therapeutic option for reperfusion of the ischemic kidney compromised by a progressive dissection of the thoracoabdominal aorta.     

Case in which renal function improved following stent-graft placement in the aorta two months after the onset of stanford type B acute aortic dissection

A 48-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery in our hospital after developing Stanford type B acute aortic dissection with a patent false lumen in July 2008. Conservative treatment involving rest and antihypertensive therapy was provided following admission. Urine volume decreased from day 9, and serum creatinine increased to 7.7 mg/dL. As it was suspected that the reduced renal blood flow was caused by progression of aortic dissection, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT)was performed. The left kidney showed reduced enhancement and the right kidney was heterogeneously enhanced. The dissection had extended to the left renal artery, and the reduced renal blood flow caused by narrowing of the left renal artery was thought to have caused the renal dysfunction. As elevated urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels and hyperkalemia persisted, hemodialysis was performed a total of four times. Although the patient was subsequently withdrawn from dialysis, he continued to display severe renal dysfunction and was transferred to our department on day 28 for the treatment of renal failure. Conservative treatment was continued, but the maximum diameter of the thoracic aorta gradually increased, and stent placement at the entry of aortic dissection was indicated. On day 86, two stent-grafts were placed for entries at the distal site of the descending aorta and the distal site of the aortic arch. Postoperative abdominal contrast-enhanced CT showed expansion of the true lumen, and blood flow and contrast enhancement improved in both kidneys. Postoperatively, serum creatinine gradually decreased, improving to 1.16 mg/dL on day 96. Renography in the third month after stent-graft placement showed improved renal function in both kidneys. These findings suggest that even at approximately 2 months after the onset of acute renal failure associated with aortic dissection, renal function can be improved by restoring blood flow in the renal arteries.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma originating in a renal capsule: a case report]

We report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma originating in a renal capsule. A 43-year-old woman was admitted with a chief complaint of right lower abdominal pain. Physical examination was unremarkable. Serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate increased to 3.8 mg/dl and 60 mm/hr., respectively. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed a heterogeneous enhanced mass, 4 x 9 x 13 cm in size, in contact with the lateral part of the right kidney. Selective right renal arteriography revealed a hypovascular tumor, the main feeding artery of which was the right adrenal artery. Preoperative clinical diagnosis was a retroperitoneal sarcoma and transabdominal tumor resection was performed. The adhesion between the tumor and the right kidney was so severe that right nephrectomy was also necessary for a radical surgery. The tumor, measuring 13 x 9 x 6 cm, was located laterally adhering to the right renal capsule. Microscopic examination of the tumor demonstrated spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells arranged in a storiform pattern with fibrous stroma and clusters of rounded histiocyte-like cells and pleomorphic giant cells with bizarre nuclei. Histopathological diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising from the renal capsule and there was no tumor invasion to renal parenchyma. No adjuvant therapy was performed but she has remained well for 31 months since the operation without evidence of disease.     

A case of renal infarction treated by thrombolytic therapy with systemic intravenous injection of tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)

A 55-year-old woman affected by mitralism presented with severe right flank pain of sudden onset. Biochemical examinations showed elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, and abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated hypoperfusion of the right kidney. Infarction of the right kidney was highly suspected, and she was immediately treated by systemic intravenous injection of 12,000,000 units of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) per day for 3 days and 120,000 units of urokinase per day for 8 days. After the thrombolytic therapy, abdominal enhanced CT revealed marked improvement of enhancement of right renal parenchyma and decrease of serum LDH. Although thrombolytic therapy with selective intraarterial infusion is considered to be a useful treatment modality for renal infarction, systemic administration of tPA may also be effective judging from the clinical course of the present case.     

A case of renal angiomyolipoma treated by partial nephrectomy--the management of renal angiomyolipoma from the conservative point of view

A 25-year-old female was admitted for further investigation of the right renal mass, which was noted during evaluation for hepatitis. She had no personal or family history of stigmas of tuberous sclerosis. On physical examination, a movable hard smooth mass of fist size was palpable in the right abdomen. Drip infusion pyelography revealed an elevation of right kidney. Ultrasonography revealed that the abdominal mass had a high amplitude echo area. On CT the mass was heterogeneous with irregular margin and had regions of low attenuation value, suspicious of a tumor with high fat content. An angiogram of the right renal artery revealed a hypervascular tumor showing multiple saccular aneurysms, and absence of arteriovenous shunting. Based on the aforementioned findings, the mass was diagnosed as renal angiomyolipoma. Partial right nephrectomy was performed through an extraperitoneal approach. Pathological diagnosis was a renal angiomyolipoma. Convalescence was uneventful, and the remaining parenchyma of right kidney was working well on drip infusion pyelography three months after operation. The management of renal angiomyolipoma from the conservative point of view is also discussed.     

Three-channeled aortic dissection; report of a case

The formation of 2 adjacent lumens is rarely observed in aortic dissection. We report herein a case of ruptured 3-channeled aortic dissection in a short time of hospitalization. A 58-year-old man who had been followed up for aortic dissection (Stanford type B) was admitted to Kumamoto National Hospital with an abdominal pain and a lumbago. A computed tomography (CT) revealed that a 3-channeled aortic dissection from the aortic arch to the right common iliac artery. An intramural hematoma was generated in the abdominal aorta and the left kidney was not enhanced. We initially adopted conservative therapies. But on the next day, he suddenly complained a severe back pain and died. At autopsy, the thoracic aorta was found to have ruptured into the mediastinum, and massive hematoma was formed.     

Symptomatic hydronephrosis from renal artery aneurysm associated with fibromuscular dysplasia: management with transarterial embolization

A 56-year-old woman presented with right-sided flank pain, dizziness, and nausea. Ultrasonography revealed hydronephrosis of the right kidney. CT showed a nodular mass at the ureteropelvic junction. Subsequent CT angiography revealed the nodular mass as a distal aneurysm of the right renal artery compromising the ureteropelvic junction. Selective diagnostic angiography confirmed the diagnosis of a distal renal artery aneurysm. Moreover, angiography incidentally detected fibromuscular dysplasia of both renal arteries. The renal artery aneurysm was then successfully managed by transarterial embolization using detachable bioactive coils.     

Conservative surgery of renal cell carcinoma associated with renal (artery) aneurysm in solitary kidney--a case report

A rare case of renal cell carcinoma associated with renal artery aneurysm in solitary kidney is reported. The patient is a 63-year-old woman with asymptomatic macrohematuria as CC, who previously received left nephrectomy (for which underlying disease is unknown). Excretory pyelography, abdominal CT and right renoarteriography revealed a 6 X 6 cm-tumor at the center of the right kidney, comprising the middle calices and a 16 X 18 mm-saccular aneurysm at the first bifurcation of the renal artery. No remote metastasis was revealed. Aneurysmectomy and partial nephrectomy (three-quarter of right middle and lower calices) were simultaneously performed in situ. The renal cell carcinoma was pT2b, of clear cell subtype and grade 1, and no calcification of the aneurysmal wall was observed. Anuria lasted for 21 postoperative days, but thereafter diuresis appeared. Renal function after 3 post-operative months remains kept as follows: BUN, 26 +/- 7 mg/dl; serum creatinine, 26 +/- 0.6 mg/dl; creatinine clearance, 20.1 ml/min. Now, after 18 postoperative months, the patient is already returning to work, with neither relapse nor need of dialysis.     

A case of renal tumor with erythrocytosis

A case of renal tumor with secondary erythrocytosis and acute occlusion of the left common iliac artery is reported. The patient was a 73-year-old male who complained of right upper abdominal pain. Laboratory investigation at admission revealed erythrocytosis. Radiological examinations including excretory urography, angiography and computed tomographic (CT) scan showed that the hypervascular tumor was related to the right kidney with pulmonary metastases. Transabdominal echography revealed a tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava. The tumor was not surgically removed, and IFN-alpha (HLBI) at a dose of 3 x 10(6) units was administered intramuscularly for 6 consecutive days every week and UFT at a dose of 3 capsules was given by oral route daily. About two months later, acute occlusion of the left common iliac artery with necrosis of the left toes occurred, and the left lower extremity was amputated. The high haematocrit resulted in an increase of blood viscosity which caused acute arterial occlusive disease. The association between renal tumor and erythrocytosis is discussed.     

国人儿童正常肾动脉的多排螺旋CT测量

目的通过观测儿童正常肾动脉CT图像,得到不同年龄段儿童的肾动脉正常值。方法选取腹部CT增强扫描检查无肾脏疾病及其他相关疾病的儿童284名,按年龄分为5组,观测肾动脉支数、肾动脉起始位置、肾动脉主干与腹主动脉下夹角、肾动脉起始处内径、副肾动脉数目、副肾动脉起源、副肾动脉入肾部位,并进行统计分析。结果肾动脉以单支型最多见;右侧肾动脉高于左侧者较为常见;随着年龄增长,肾动脉起点与腹腔干距离逐渐增加（P〈0.05）;肾动脉干与腹主动脉下夹角在不同组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;各年龄组肾动脉干起始部内径的差异有统计学意义（P〈0.001）,随年龄增长,肾动脉干起始部内径增加,不同性别及左、右肾间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;副肾动脉出现率为35.21%（100/284）,主要起源于肾动脉（66/134,49.25%）及腹主动脉（62/134,46.27%）,经肾上端（98/134,73.13%）及肾下端（28/134,20.90%）入肾。结论本研究初步得到不同年龄儿童肾动脉的相关正常值,有助于诊治儿童肾动脉相关疾病。     

Nonoperative management of acute spontaneous renal artery dissection

Isolated spontaneous renal artery dissection is a rare condition that can result in renal parenchymal loss and severe hypertension. Although several risk factors have been identified in association with renal artery dissection, the natural history is not well defined. The rarity and nonspecific presentation of the disease often lead to diagnostic delay. That, coupled with the anatomic limitations imposed by dissection into small branch arteries, frequently precludes successful revascularization. Over a 12-month period, four cases of spontaneous renal artery dissection (SRAD) were treated at a single institution. The patients (ages 44-58 years) presented with acute onset of abdominal/flank pain, fever, and hematuria. Diagnostic work-up included an abdominal CT scan revealing segmental renal infarction. Angiographic evaluation was diagnostic for renal artery dissection in all cases. In one case there was evidence of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), and in a second there was acute dissection superimposed upon atherosclerotic disease. Diagnosis was made within 12-72 hr of the onset of symptoms. All patients were managed expectantly with anticoagulation. Two patients were known to have a history of hypertension prior to admission. All four patients have required antihypertensive treatment following dissection, but the condition has been easily controlled. Renal function has remained stable in all cases. None of the four cases required exploration. Two of the four patients underwent repeat angiographic evaluation for recurrent symptoms of pain. In the case of the patient with FMD, a new dissection was seen in the contralateral renal artery, and in the second, repeat angiogram revealed proximal remodeling of the dissected artery. Management strategies for SRAD include surgical revascularization, endovascular intervention, and observation with or without anticoagulation. The available literature does not demonstrate a clear benefit of treatment with any of these modalities. In the short term, the combination of anticoagulation and expectant management appears to produce satisfactory outcomes for this difficult problem.     

A Case Report of Successful Kidney Transplantation in a Patient With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Who Underwent Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Type B Aortic Dissection

BackgroundAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with several cardiovascular disorders, including aortic dissection, which preferentially occurs at the thoracic or abdominal level. Because there are few case reports describing surgical repair for aortic dissection followed by renal transplantation in patients with ADPKD, kidney transplantation performed after repair for aortic dissection remains challenging.Case presentationA 34-year-old Japanese man with end-stage renal disease secondary to ADPKD underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair for complicated acute type B aortic dissection 12 months earlier. A contrast computed tomography scan before transplantation revealed an aortic dissection involving the descending aorta proximal to the common iliac arteries and confirmed multiple large bilateral renal cysts. After simultaneous right native nephrectomy, the patient underwent preemptive living-donor kidney transplantation obtained from his mother. Intraoperatively, we noted that dissection of the external iliac vessels was difficult because of dense adhesions. Arterial clamping was performed immediately below the bifurcation of the internal iliac artery to prevent further aortic dissection of the external iliac artery. After end-to-end anastomosis to the internal iliac artery was completed and the vascular clamp was released, the kidney began to produce urine immediately.ConclusionThis case suggests that kidney transplantation in patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair for aortic dissection can be performed by adequately applying a vascular clamp proximal to the internal iliac artery during vascular anastomosis.     

Repair of a pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with bilateral renal artery stenosis using a rapid infusion pump for renal perfusion: Report Of a case

A 73-year-old man with a history of hypertension and drug-induced hepatitis underwent surgical treatment of an enlarging pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (PRAAA) with bilateral renal artery stenosis, found on enhanced computed tomography (CT). His preoperative renal function was normal. We divided the right renal artery and used a 6-mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tube graft for the anastomosis. Renal artery perfusion was achieved by a rapid infusion pump set at 200 ml/min. The left renal artery was reconstructed and perfused in the same way. The abdominal aorta was cross-clamped just distal to the superior mesenteric artery and a Y-graft was anastomosed. The ePTFE grafts were connected to the Y-graft and bilateral renal artery circulation was re-established. The renal ischemic time was 1 h 25 min and the urine output during reconstruction was 80 ml. Postoperatively, his serum blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels increased slightly, but normalized within 3 days. This case report shows that this method of renal artery perfusion could prove useful for complex renal artery reconstructions.     

Giant renal calculus in a solitary functioning kidney

We report a case of giant renal calculus 230 x 140 mm in size and weighing 1,350 g in a solitary functioning kidney treated by nephrolithotomy. A 47-year-old man presented with right lumbar pain, abdominal mass and microscopic hematuria. Physical examination revealed a stony hard mass on the right side of the abdomen, extending from the subcostal region to the iliac crest. A giant renal calculus in his right kidney and atrophic nonfunctioning left kidney was diagnosed by ultrasonography, IVP and CT scan. Right nephrolithotomy was performed. Analysis revealed a calcium phosphate stone. This case is the largest and the heaviest stone reported in the literature in a solitary functioning kidney.     

Non-traumatic renal arteriopelvic fistula

PURPOSE: In the present paper, we report on a 34-year-old female with macroscopic hematuria due to a nontraumatic renal arteriopelvic fistula (APF). The patient initially presented at another hospital with asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria. Following abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) and laboratory data, no abnormal findings were seen. Therefore, the patient was referred to Teine Keijinkai Hospital for a more precise evaluation of the urinary tract and vascular abnormality. METHODS/RESULTS: Endoscopically, there was bleeding from the right ureteral orifice, so the patient was admitted for further examination. No abnormal findings were seen on urinary cytology and following an intravenous pyelogram. A selective right lower polar renal arteriogram revealed arterial extravasation directly into the pelvis before the venous phase, so APF of the kidney was diagnosed. The patient had no history of urinary tract trauma, so the APF was thought to be idiopathic. After transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with a gelatine sponge, macroscopic and microscopic hematuria disappeared and a low-density area was seen in the middle pole of the right kidney in an abdominal CT scan 4 days after TAE. This was thought to be renal infarction due to TAE. CONCLUSIONS: After discharge, the patient had no further hematuria.     

Fibromuscular dysplasia associated with simultaneous spontaneous dissection of four peripheral arteries in a 30-year-old man

A 30-year-old man had a sudden bout of severe abdominal pain. An enhanced computed tomographic scan revealed dissections of the celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, left renal artery, and right external iliac artery; stenosis of the right renal artery; and left kidney infarction. After careful evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with fibromuscular dysplasia (medial dysplasia), based on the findings obtained from the enhanced computed tomographic scan. This case is extremely rare because fibromuscular dysplasia occurred concurrently with simultaneous spontaneous dissections of four peripheral arteries in a young man.