RENAL-ARTERY PSEUDOANEURYSM AFTER BLUNT ABDOMINAL-TRAUMA

Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are rare after blunt abdominal trauma; on ly 11 cases have been previously reported. Pseudoaneurysms are caused by decelerating injuries of the renal artery after major falls or auto mobile accidents. Patients may be asymptomatic for many years, and the pseudoaneurysm may expand and rupture before diagnosis or treatment. The patients in four untreated cases died. The diagnosis of renal arte ry pseudoaneurysm can be made by Doppler sonography, computerized tomo graphy, renal perfusion imaging, or contrast angiography. Treatment re quires either surgical or percutaneous intervention. Renal salvage was possible in five of the seven patients treated. We report two additio nal patients with successful outcomes after surgical intervention.