Renal vein thrombosis

Also known as: Clot in the renal vein and Occlusion - renal vein

Definition

Renal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Renal vein thrombosis is a fairly uncommon situation that may happen after trauma to the abdomen or back, or it may occur due to:

• Scar formation
• Stricture
• Tumor

It may be associated with nephrotic syndrome.

In some children, it occurs after severe dehydration and is a more serious condition than in adults. Dehydration is the most common cause of renal vein thrombosis in infants.

Symptoms

• Bloody urine
• Decreased urine output
• Flank pain or low back pain

Signs and tests

An examination may not reveal the specific problem, but may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.

• Abdominal CT scan, abdominal MRI, or abdominal ultrasound may show obstruction of the renal vein
• Urinalysis may show large quantities of protein in the urine, or red blood cells in the urine
• X-ray of the kidney veins (venography) may show renal vein thrombosis.

Treatment

The treatment is focused on preventing new clot formations and reducing the risk of the clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).

You may get medications that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants) to stop new clots from forming. Your doctor may recommend bedrest or limited activity for a brief period.

Expectations (prognosis)

Renal vein thrombosis usually gets better over time without permanently injuring the kidneys.

Complications

• Acute renal failure (if thrombosis occurs in a dehydrated child)
• Embolization of the blood clot to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• Formation of new blood clots

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.

If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your health care provider if you develop decreased urine output, difficulty breathing, or other new symptoms.

Prevention

There is no specific prevention for renal vein thrombosis. Maintaining fluids in the body to avoid dehydration may help to reduce its risk.

References

Kanso AA, Hassan NMA, Badr KF. Microvascular and macrovascular diseases of the kidney. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 32.

See also:

• Disease

  Acute kidney failure

  

  Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing .

• Disease

  Tumor

  A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).

• Disease

  Pulmonary embolus

  

  A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs by fat, air, a blood clot, or tumor cells.

• Test

  Arteriogram

  

  An arteriogram is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the arteries. It can be used to see arteries in the heart, brain, kidney, and many other parts of the body. The procedure is often called angiography. See also:

• Disease

  Blood clots

  

  Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside a blood vessel or within the heart and stays there is called a thrombus. A thrombus that breaks loose and travels from one location in the body to another is called an embolus. The ...

• Disease

  Nephrotic syndrome

  

  Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms including (more than 3.5 grams per day), low blood protein levels, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, and .

• Special Topic

  Renal

  

  The term “renal” refers to the kidney. For example, renal failure means kidney failure. Related topics:

• Disease

  Dehydration

  

  Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes. Infants and children are more susceptible to dehydration than adults because ...

Review date:

May 20, 2009

Reviewed by:

Parul Patel, MD, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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