Renal artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to blunt trauma treated with microcoil embolization.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery pseudoaneurysms are rarely described sequelae of blunt abdominal trauma. Interventional radiological advances have allowed such lesions to be managed nonoperatively.

METHODS: The authors review the presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and hospital course of an 11-year-old girl who developed a right renal artery pseudoaneurysm 14 days after blunt abdominal trauma.

RESULTS: An 11-year-old girl fell off a horse onto her right flank. She sustained multiple right hepatic lobe lacerations and a complex fracture of the upper pole of the right kidney. Her initial hospital course was uncomplicated, and she was discharged after an uneventful 6-day course. The child did well for 2 weeks, until she developed right back pain and gross hematuria. A computed tomography scan revealed a right renal artery pseudoaneurysm. Angiography confirmed the presence of a pseudoaneurysm, which was fed by a single segmental branch originating from the renal artery. The artery was successfully occluded with a single platinum microcoil, which was demonstrated by the absence of contrast flow into the pseudoaneurysm. The patient recovered and was discharged shortly after the procedure. She initially had intermittent pain and hematuria, which resolved. Follow-up computed tomography scans have shown resolution of both the renal and hepatic lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: Renal artery pseudoaneurysms that arise after blunt abdominal trauma in the pediatric population may be safely and effectively managed with arterial embolization, thereby avoiding extensive surgical interventions.