Renal infarction in patients presenting with suspected renal colic

A Massive Renal Infarction Due to Atheroemboli: A Case Report

The symptoms of acute renal infarction (ARI) caused by atheroemboli are vague, making it rare. Early diagnosis of renal infarction can be made through contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen. However, diagnosing atheroemboli is more challenging. Kidney biopsy is the most accurate method to determine the cause, but it may not always be available in clinical settings. In cases where a thrombectomy is performed, white substances in thrombus aspiration or the patient's blood can suggest a diagnosis. Intervention is an effective technique, but there is controversy due to a lack of data, particularly in lobular artery infarction. We successfully treated one case using thrombus aspiration, and the specimens suggested atherosclerosis as the cause.

A Rare Cause of Acute Kidney Injury in a Female Patient with Breast Cancer Presenting as Renal Colic

Renal infarction is a rare cause of acute kidney injury which could lead to permanent loss of renal function. A prompt diagnosis is necessary in order to achieve a successful revascularization of the occluded artery. Given the rarity of the disease and the paucity of the reported cases in the previous literature a high index of suspicion must be maintained not only in the classical cardiac sources of systemic emboli (atrial fibrillation, dilated cardiomyopathy, or endocarditis), but also in the situations when a hypercoagulable state is presumed. The unspecific presenting symptoms often mask the true etiology of the patient’s complaints. We present here a rare case of renal infarction that occurred in the setting of a hypercoagulable state, in a female patient with a history of breast cancer and documented hepatic metastases.

Renal infarction

Renal infarction is an underdiagnosed and under-reported phenomenon, and needs to be diagnosed rapidly to prevent permanent loss of renal function. Renal infarction should be considered in the initial differential diagnosis of nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis. It is often mistaken for more benign pathology and is worthwhile reviewing and reporting.