Endovascular revascularization for isolated renal artery thrombosis following blunt trauma: a rare case report and review of the literature

Background: Isolated renal artery thrombosis (RAT) following blunt trauma is very rare. RAT after blunt trauma almost never occurs as an isolated event but rather accompanies major injuries. There has been a relative increase in diagnosis with the help of advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT). This study presents selective renal artery stenting in a patient with isolated RAT following blunt trauma. Case report: In this case, a young male presented with unilateral isolated RAT, affecting the left kidney, after thoracoabdominal blunt trauma with no clinical and laboratory abnormalities. Contrast enhanced CT (CECT) revealed thrombosis of the left renal artery with no contrast retention. CT angiography showed an occlusion of 2 cm in the middle segment of the left renal artery and an endovascular stent was placed. Renal artery flow was patent in the follow up. Percutaneous endovascular revascularization was successfully implemented in the patient and hypertension (HT) did not develop during short term follow up. Scintigraphy showed that the left kidney had minimal function. Conclusion: Minimally invasive treatment is encouraged for young patients with RAT occurring in the late period of trauma to save kidney function and prevent probable renal HT, although risk of low kidney function remains present. Percutaneous endovascular revascularization can be used safely instead of surgical revascularization, due to the minimally invasive nature and lower morbidity.