Renal vein thrombosis

Alternative names:

clot in the renal vein; occlusion - renal vein

Definition:

A blood clot that develops in the vein that drains the kidney.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Renal vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot develops in the vein that drains the kidney. This 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. In children, 90% of renal vein thrombi ocur in infants less than 1 year old and 75% occur in infants under 1 month old, all probably secondary to dehydration.

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