Parenchymal striations in renal vein thrombosis: arteriographic demonstration

Arteriographic visualization of parenchymal striation in renal vein thrombosis is reported for the first time. The striations correspond to the location and orientation of the peritubular capillary beds of the renal cortex, which are in linear continuity with the vasa recta of the medulla. Opacification of these vascular structures in a cadaver kidney produced the same striation pattern. One possible physiologic explanation is that renal vein thrombosis causes elevated renal interstitial pressure which slows tubular urine flow. This altered intrarenal state prevents opacification of renal tubular structures while adjacent peritubular vascular structures are opacified, thereby producing a pattern of alternating striation.