Renal vein thrombosis treated with thrombolytic therapy: case report and brief review

Renal vein thrombosis (RVT) can occur as a complication of the nephrotic syndrome. We present the case of a young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus with nephrotic syndrome and bilateral RVT with extension of the thrombus into the vena cava to the level of the right atrium and multiple pulmonary emboli. She was treated acutely with streptokinase, with complete resolution of the thrombi. In general, anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for RVT. Review of the literature reveals that thrombolytic therapy can be used safely and appears to have been reserved for those patients with the most severe disease or the more grave prognosis. we feel that thrombolytic therapy is warranted in the presence of bilateral RVT with acute renal failure, massive clot size with high risk of acute embolic events, or recurrent pulmonary emboli, in the absence of overriding contraindications.