Segmental cortical renal infarction with spontaneous regression. A clinical and roentgenological study

A patient with a suspected segmental aseptic renal infarction is described. Initially, the clinical picture was characterized by pain and macroscopic haematuria. An acute intravenous pyelography showed a normal roentgen anatomy. At a second intravenous pyelography one week later, an incomplete filling of the two cranial calyces was found. A subsequent renal angiography showed an avascular area within the corresponding parenchyma. The distinct demarcation of the avascular zone caused us to suspect that the disease might be ischemic. A second and a third renal angiography 6 weeks and 4 months later, respectively, both showed complete restoration with a normal vascular pattern. The necessity of performing an acute renal angiography in every case of a suspected renal infarction is stressed. The possibility of preventing hypertension by kidney resection in patients with incomplete restoration of the renal parenchyma is evaluated.