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Updated: May 23, 2026

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Page kidney: etiology, renal function outcomes and risk for future hypertension
Andrew Smyth1, C Scott Collins, Bjorg Thorsteinsdottir
1Department of Nephrology, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland.
Insights
Page kidney, a cause of hypertension from renal hematoma, presents differently in trauma versus nontrauma cases. Trauma patients are typically younger with less severe kidney issues, while nontrauma cases require more medication and higher nephrectomy rates.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hypertension Research
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Page kidney, initially linked to traumatic renal subcapsular hematomas causing renin-mediated hypertension, also arises from nontraumatic etiologies.
- Understanding the differences between traumatic and nontraumatic Page kidney is crucial for effective management.
Observation:
- A review of 26 Page kidney cases (1960-2010) identified distinct characteristics between trauma (9 patients) and nontrauma (17 patients) groups.
- Trauma patients were younger, presented with lower systolic blood pressure and higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
- No significant differences were observed in presenting symptoms, imaging, urinalysis, or pathology between the groups.
Findings:
- Nontrauma Page kidney cases necessitated more antihypertensive medications and had higher rates of nephrectomy.
- While eGFR improved in all patients post-treatment, the improvement was more pronounced in the trauma group.
- New-onset hypertension was observed irrespective of the Page kidney's etiology.
Implications:
- The study highlights two distinct patient profiles for Page kidney, informing diagnostic and treatment strategies.
- Close blood pressure monitoring is essential for all patients with new-onset hypertension, regardless of Page kidney cause.
- Further research into the long-term outcomes and specific management pathways for traumatic versus nontraumatic Page kidney is warranted.
Abstract:
The initial description of Page kidney, a form of renin-mediated hypertension, included athletes with renal subcapsular hematoma after flank trauma. Subsequently, nontraumatic etiologies were identified. In this study, the authors compare traumatic and nontraumatic causes of Page kidney. All cases with hypertension attributable to renal hematoma at our institution from 1960 to 2010 were reviewed. Twenty-six patients (9 trauma, 17 nontrauma), with a mean age of 36.7 years, were included. Trauma patients were younger (P<.001), had lower systolic blood pressures (P=.011), and higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), (P=.027) at presentation. No differences in presenting features, imaging, urinalysis, or pathology are noted. Nontrauma cases required more antihypertensive medications (P=.001) and had higher nephrectomy rates. eGFR improved in all, but more in, trauma cases (P=.05). Through the analysis of 26 cases of Page kidney, two distinct groups were identified. Trauma patients tended to be younger, male, have less renal impairment and lower systolic blood pressure. Nontrauma patients required more antihypertensive medications and had a higher nephrectomy rate. New-onset hypertension occurred independent of etiology, calling for close surveillance of blood pressures.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Kidney Disease I: Introduction
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Diabetic Nephropathy
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
