MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Renal vein thrombosis

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Renal vein thrombosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Alternative names Return to top

Clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein

Definition Return to top

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Renal vein thrombosis is a fairly uncommon situation that may happen after trauma to the abdomen or back, or it may occur because of a tumor, stricture (scar formation), or other blockage of the vein. 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.

Renal vein thrombosis should be suspected if symptoms develop after femoral vein cannulation (such as for an angiogram test).

Symptoms Return to top

Flank pain or low back pain, may be severe
Urine, bloody
Urine output, decreased

Signs and tests Return to top

An examination is often nonspecific. It may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.

A urinalysis may show large quantities of protein in the urine, or red blood cells in urine.
An abdominal x-ray, abdominal CT scan, abdominal MRI, or abdominal ultrasound may show occlusion of the renal vein.
Venography (angiography) of the vena cava or renal vein may indicate renal vein thrombosis.

Treatment Return to top

The treatment is focused on preventing new clot formations and reducing the risk of the clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization). Anticoagulants may be given to prevent formation of new clots. Bedrest or limited activity may be recommended for a brief period.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Renal vein thrombosis usually resolves over time without permanent injury to the kidneys.

Complications Return to top

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 Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicating renal vein thrombosis may be present.

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

Prevention Return to top

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

Update Date: 1/19/2004

Updated by: Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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