Renomedullary interstitial cell lesions and hypertension

The notion that renomedullary nodules of the kidney arise as a response to hypertension was tested. Heart weight, ratio of heart weight to body weight, and blood pressure in 160 patients in whom such nodules were found at autopsy were compared with similar measurements in 160 patients without nodules. There were no significant differences between the two groups, and it was concluded that there was no evidence to support the idea that the renomedullary nodule represents a response to hypertension.