Renal Artery Stenting Recovered Renal Function after Spontaneous Renal Artery Dissection

Endovascular treatments of atherosclerotic renovascular disease: a narrative review and literature search

In recent years, endovascular treatments have become more common in patients with renal artery stenosis and aneurysm. Although the treatment algorithms are not universally accepted, endovascular therapy can be readily utilized for the appropriate indications in the context of surgical treatment for renovascular diseases. The most important factor to consider is that the correct indication is applied for such treatment. Although the applied procedures are believed to have minimal risk, any complications that occur may result in major problems. Moreover, the pathology that is being treated (e.g., hypertension, high serum creatinine concentration, or low glomerular filtration rate) must be well defined. As stent and balloon technologies continue to be developed, more positive results are expected in the coming years. In the present study, we reviewed the endovascular treatment algorithms for atherosclerotic renovascular disease and performed a narrative review of the current literature.

Renal Arteries Revisited: Anatomy, Pathologic Entities, and Implications for Endovascular Management

The renal arteries (RAs) are important vessels that usually arise from the abdominal aorta and supply the kidneys; thus, these arteries play a vital role in physiologic functions such as hemofiltration and blood pressure regulation. An understanding of the basis for embryologic development and the frequently variable anatomy of the RAs is necessary to fully appreciate the range of diseases and the implications for procedural planning. Hemorrhage from an RA is relatively common and is typically traumatic or spontaneous, with the latter form often seen in association with underlying tumors or arteriopathy. Accurate diagnostic evaluation of RA disease due to conditions such as atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, vasculitis, aneurysm, arteriovenous shunt, embolic disease, and dissection is dependent on the use of multimodality imaging and is essential for selecting appropriate clinical management, with endovascular therapy having a key role in treatment. Surgical considerations include extra-anatomic renal bypass, which remains an important treatment option even in this era of endovascular therapy, and RA embolization as an adjunct to tumor surgery. A novel area of research interest is the potential role of RA denervation in the management of refractory hypertension. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Aortic dissection or spontaneous renal artery dissection, a rare diagnosis?

Spontaneous renal artery dissection (SRAD) is a rare entity causing muscle spasm due to acute low back pain, back pain, or flank pain symptoms or misleading clinical diagnosis such as renal colic. A 25-year-old Syrian male refugee presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of left-sided flank pain in the evening. Physical examination results were normal except left-sided costovertebral angle sensitivity. Abdominal, pelvic and thoracic contrast computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed to evaluate aortic dissection, which was our urgent preliminary diagnosis. Left renal artery dissection was detected in CTA. The patient was treated with medical conservative treatment and spontaneous recovery was observed during the follow-up period. Early detection of SRAD in the emergency department can be difficult due to the fact that the clinical presentation is misleading.

Isolated Renal Artery Dissection: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

Isolated renal artery dissection (IRAD) is a rare and often unrecognized clinical entity, with a paucity of data on its epidemiology and management. We extracted 129 cases of IRAD from the medical literature between 1972 and 2016. IRAD as a result of an extended dissection from the aorta and splanchnic or mesenteric arteries was excluded. The mean age of presentation was 42.7±12.9 years, with a male predominance (79%). Abdominal pain (75.9%) was the most common presenting symptom. Etiology was more likely to be spontaneous (76%) than traumatic (12%), iatrogenic (9%), or drug-induced (1.5%). The most common risk factors were hypertension (28.7%), fibromuscular dysplasia (8.5%), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (5.4%). Unilateral renal artery dissection (right 45.5%, left 40.5%) was more frequent than bilateral (14%). More than half (56.6%) of the cohort were managed medically (blood pressure control and /or anticoagulation). Of those who underwent intervention, endovascular stenting or embolization (35%) was utilized more frequently than nephrectomy or bypass (21%). Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) have the highest diagnostic sensitivity (91% and 93%, respectively) as compared to ultrasonography (27%). A high degree of clinical suspicion is required to diagnose IRAD. CT and MRI have a higher diagnostic sensitivity. As compared to invasive management, conservative management has comparable outcomes.