Renal Vein Thrombosis

• Published in: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 217 - 223
• Main Authors: Asghar, M, Ahmed, K, Shah, S.S, Siddique, M.K, Dasgupta, P, Khan, M.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2007
• Subjects: Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Antiphospholipid syndrome; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Nephrotic syndrome; Patient Selection; Phlebography; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Renal vein thrombosis; Renal Veins - diagnostic imaging; Renal Veins - pathology; Renal Veins - physiopathology; Surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Surgical Procedures; Venous Thrombosis - diagnosis; Venous Thrombosis - etiology; Venous Thrombosis - mortality; Venous Thrombosis - physiopathology; Venous Thrombosis - therapy; Renal vein thrombosis; Nephrotic syndrome; Antiphospholipid syndrome
• ISSN: 1078-5884; 1532-2165
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2007.02.017

Objective The aim of this article is to review the published English literature on aetiology, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and treatment of renal vein thrombosis. Materials and methods We searched the published literature from Medline & Pubmed using keywords renal vein thrombosis, anti-phospholipid syndrome and nephrotic syndrome. Data was extracted from individual case reports, case series, articles on pathology, diagnostic tests, treatment modalities, and previous reviews. Case reports which did not add any new information were excluded. Results We selected 60 references based on the above criteria. Renal vein thrombosis is relatively rare. CT angiography is considered the investigation of choice. Alternatives include MR angiography or renal venography in highly selected patients. As the condition is relatively uncommon, consensus on the best form of therapy for this condition has been slow to evolve. The trend in management has shifted to non-surgical therapies particularly systemic anticoagulation except in highly selected group of patients.