Renovascular hypertension associated with pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma

We present the case of a 21-year-old man who developed a renal artery pseudoaneurysm following a 7-foot fall onto his back. He initially presented with gross hematuria, left flank pain, and back pain. He was observed in the hospital for 3 days and discharged. One week later, he was readmitted with headache, nausea, vomiting, seizure activity, and hypertension. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed a left renal artery pseudoaneurysm with associated arterial narrowing and delayed ipsilateral renal enhancement. He underwent percutaneous stent-graft placement with resolution of the pseudoaneurysm. He was free of complications and normotensive off antihypertensive medications after 36 months of follow-up. Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are rare and under-recognized complications of blunt abdominal or back trauma that can cause hypertension. Imaging modalities in renovascular hypertension have focused on detecting renal artery stenosis from atherosclerotic disease or fibromuscular dysplasia, with little attention given to renal artery pseudoaneurysms. In addition, first-line treatment for renal artery pseudoaneurysms historically has consisted of angioembolization, yet percutaneous stent-graft placement has emerged as an attractive alternative to preserve vessel patency. We discuss the role of imaging in renovascular hypertension with a focus on renal artery pseudoaneurysms and their prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment.