Spontaneous Renal Artery Dissection in an Otherwise Healthy Male

Abstract

Dissection of a renal artery is rare and, in most cases, associated with underlying arterial diseases. Spontaneous renal artery dissection (RAD) is exceptional.

We report the case of a young and otherwise healthy man with an isolated dissection of the right renal artery without any obvious origin. Diagnosis was made by angiography. He received medical treatment and rapidly recovered. Renal artery dissection can be misdiagnosed because its clinical presentation may be confusing. Selective renal angiog-raphy is essential to evaluate the extent of the dissection and the suitability for repair. Control of the hypertension and renal function preservation are the two main goals of the treatment. The place of surgical repair remains unclear because of the poor results on hypertension improvement and high complication rate.

Key Words:

• Renal artery dissection
• spontaneous arterial dissection
• hypertension
• angiography
• anticoagulation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

E. Guerin

E. Guerin, M.D. CHU Charleroi Bd Paul Janson, 92 B-6000 Charleroi, Belgium