Abstract
A case of renal artery embolism is presented in which the embolus blocked the arterial branch leading to the lower pole of the kidney. Renal function ceased completely at first, but gradually returned in the part of the kidney supplied by the unobstructed arterial branch. For early diagnosis of renal artery embolism the following sequence of investigations is proposed, at any rate in patients with acute renal colic and a history of heart disease. Isotope renography should be performed routinely as a screening procedure. If the function of one or both kidneys is found to have ceased, retrograde pyelography should immediately be done. If the calyceal system of the non-functioning kidney is free and of normal shape, the diagnosis of embolism can be considered practically certain. For the correct treatment, angiography is indispensable.