Renal artery aneurysm mimicking renal calculus with hydronephrosis

Calcified renal artery aneurism in the right kidney causing hypertension

The renal artery aneurysm (RAA) is defined as a renal artery segment that is twofold dilated than normally. It is very rare in children and often asymptomatic. However, it can cause severe hypertension (HTN) and kidney failure. Herein, we report a 14-year-old boy who with RAA which was presented with back pain. His medical history was remarkable for essential HTN that was refractory to antihypertensive medications. Plain abdominal radiography revealed calcification at the right flank area. On computed tomography images, calcification surrounding the right renal artery was detected. Selective renal angiography showed totally occluded right renal artery segment. Calcified RAA was detected on the operation and removed. Two months after, blood pressure was under control, but there was no functioning right kidney on DMSA. We think that clinicians should keep in mind RAA in the differential diagnosis of treatment-resistant HTN and use other radiologic methods even if Doppler is normal.

Large calcified renal artery aneurysm in the renal sinus misdiagnosed as an intrapelvic calculus followed by mistakenly performed PCNL: a case report

Background

Renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) are rare and usually asymptomatic, and some RAAs can be associated with calcifications, which may lead to misdiagnoses as renal calculi, which are then mistakenly treated.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with no discomfort and was diagnosed with a large right renal calculus. The ultrasound and computed tomography urography (CTU) scan suggested a large calculus in the right pelvis with hydrops of the kidney. Therefore, we chose percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) to treat the right renal calculus, but no calculi were found in the renal pelvis. When we removed the mucosa of the renal pelvis with a holmium laser, we observed a fluctuating unruptured aneurysm with calcification. Therefore, the previous diagnosis of a renal calculus was disregarded. The operation was stopped immediately, and then computed tomography (CT) angiography was performed, confirming the right renal aneurysm with calcification. Then, Renal artery aneurysm (RAA) coil embolization was performed. After a long-term follow-up, the patient recovered well.

Conclusions

The RAA of this patient had calcific changes, which led us to errors in the diagnosis. Hence, it is very important for surgeons to effectively distinguish between renal calculi and aneurysms with ring-like calcifications. Our case report looks back at the thrilling situation during the operation and advises surgeons on how to deal with this situation properly.

Renal vein thrombosis mimicking urinary calculus: a dilemma of diagnosis

Background

Renal vein thrombosis (RVT) with flank pain, and hematuria, is often mistaken with renal colic originating from ureteric or renal calculus. Especially in young and otherwise healthy patients, clinicians are easily misled by clinical presentation and calcified RVT.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old woman presented with flank pain and hematuria suggestive of renal calculus on ultrasound. She underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy that failed, leading to the recommendation that percutaneous lithotomy was necessary to remove the renal calculus. In preoperative view of the unusual shape of the calculus without hydronephrosis, noncontrast computed tomography was taken and demonstrated left ureteric calculus. However computed tomography angiography revealed, to our surprise, a calcified RVT that was initially thought to be a urinary calculus.

Conclusion

This case shows that a calcified RVT might mimic a urinary calculus on conventional ultrasonography and ureteric calculus on noncontrast computed tomography. Subsequent computed tomography angiography disclosed that a calcified RVT caused the imaging findings, thus creating a potentially dangerous clinical pitfall. Hence, it is suggested that the possibility of a RVT needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis whenever one detects an uncommon shape for a urinary calculus.

Imaging of a renal artery aneurysm detected incidentally on ultrasonography

Renal artery aneurysms occur with a frequency of less than 1% of the general population. Even if they are usually asymptomatic and incidentally found, they can be complicated with life-threatening conditions like rupture, thrombosis, embolism, or hypertension. Thus, once diagnosed, they should be fully evaluated with further imaging and treated when indicated. We present the case of a patient who was referred for ultrasonography for an unrelated reason. The examination demonstrated a hyperechoic focus near the right kidney. Further imaging workup with MDCT established the diagnosis of a right renal artery aneurysm which was saccular in shape and peripherally calcified. This ring-like calcification was also visible in a KUB radiography which was also performed. After presenting the case, various aspects of this rare entity are discussed.