Nephroptosis: a considerable cause of renovascular hypertension

Four females were admitted with hypertension. Other causes of hypertension were excluded on clinical grounds. Digital substraction angiography performed in 3 patients revealed no stenosis of the renal arteries. The 99mTc-Mag3 renogram showed diminished perfusion and excretion on the affected side. Right-sided nephropexy was performed in all 4 cases via lumbotomy after which all 4 patients became normotensive. We conclude that nephroptosis is a considerable cause of renovascular hypertension and deserves particular attention in cases of possible renovascular hypertension when angiography shows no stenosis. We also conclude that renography is the preferred diagnostic method in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension due to nephroptosis.