RENAL-VEIN OCCLUSION - A REVIEW

Purpose: The different etiologies of renal vein occlusion are reviewed . A special category, division of the left renal vein in abdominal aor tic surgery, is also discussed in the review. Materials and Methods: T he various diagnostic modalities used in cases of renal vein occlusion include excretory urography, ultrasound, nuclear scan, angiography, v enography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The main goals of therapy in this condition should be to conserve renal p arenchyma and to protect renal function. Results: The principal mode o f treatment is medical and includes correction of fluid and electrolyt e imbalance, dialysis, antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulation and in certain cases thrombolysis. Conclusions: Renal vein occlusion in adult s is usually a result of the vein thrombosis which is frequently assoc iated with the nephrotic syndrome. The anatomy of renal vascularizatio n is of primary importance in understanding its pathophysiological res ponses and the clinical and diagnostic presentation of patients with t his condition. The reaction of the kidney to its vein occlusion is det ermined by the balance between the acuteness of the disease, extent of the development of collateral circulation, involvement of 1 or both k idneys and the origin of the underlying disease. Renal vein occlusion is generally a complication of some other condition but may also be a primary disease.