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Published on: September 8, 2023
Renal Doppler Ultrasound - a Late Diagnosis of Aortic Coarctation
Ana Luísa Pinto1, Alexandra Mesquita1, João Pedro Vieira1
1Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Açores, Portugal.
Insights
Aortic coarctation, a rare aortic narrowing, can cause hypertension in children. This case highlights how renal Doppler ultrasound can detect signs suggestive of this condition, aiding early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Aortic coarctation involves aortic lumen narrowing, often diagnosed in infancy but sometimes presenting in adulthood.
- Arterial hypertension is a frequent symptom of aortic coarctation, necessitating investigation into secondary causes in pediatric patients.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old child presented with secondary arterial hypertension.
- Renal Doppler ultrasound revealed characteristic parvus et tardus waveforms in renal arteries and the proximal aorta.
Findings:
- The observed waveform morphology strongly suggested aortic coarctation.
- Thoracic CT angiography confirmed the diagnosis of aortic coarctation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the utility of non-invasive imaging like Doppler ultrasound in diagnosing aortic coarctation in children with hypertension.
- Early detection and diagnosis of aortic coarctation are crucial for managing pediatric hypertension and preventing long-term cardiovascular complications.
Abstract:
Aortic coarctation is characterized by a segmental narrowing of the aortic lumen, usually diagnosed and treated in the neonatal period or early childhood, but can remain undiagnosed until adulthood. It manifests as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, of which arterial hypertension is one of the most common. In this article, the authors describe the clinical case of a 9-year-old child under investigation in the Pediatric Department for secondary causes of arterial hypertension. A renal Doppler ultrasound study revealed the presence of bilateral parvus et tardus waveform morphology in renal and intrarenal arteries and the proximal abdominal aorta. These findings were suspicious for diagnosing aortic coarctation, which thoracic CTangio confirmed.
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