Contrast-Enhanced CT for Acute Flank Pain Caused by Acute Renal Artery Occlusion

Abstract

T hromboembolic disease of the re- nal artery is usually associated with acute flank pain. With the current trend of using unenhanced helical CT for the diagnosis of acute flank pain, the diagnosis of acute renovascular occlusion may be delayed or overlooked. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of a treatment regimen with anticoagulation, fibrinolytic agents, or embolectomy is crucial to prevent irreversible renal damage Excretory urography, retrograde pyelography, sonography, and unenhanced helical CT may be nondiagnostic or inconclusive in revealing acute renal artery occlusion. Although unenhanced helical CT can show other abdominal conditions such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, adnexal disease, and aortic rupture, it cannot show acute renal artery occlusion.