Segmental renal infarction after blunt abdominal trauma: Clinical significance and appropriate management

Abstract

Segmental infarction after blunt trauma is an uncommon type of injury occurring as a result of occlusion of a segmental renal artery. We retrospectively reviewed 32 cases of segmental renal infarction after nonpenetrating injury in order to assess the clinical significance and the most appropriate management. Thirty-five segmental infarcts were demonstrated by contrast medium-enhanced computed tomography (CT), 19 in the left and 16 in the right kidney. Twenty-five of the 35 infarcts (71%) occurred as an isolated renal injury. A distinct upper pole predilection for segmental infarct was observed. Angiography showed an occluded branch vessel without contrast medium extravasation in four cases. None of the 30 surviving patients experienced delayed renal hemorrhage or deterioration of renal function. Only 2 of 24 evaluable patients developed mild diastolic hypertension during follow-up. Our data indicate that segmental renal infarction in the blunt trauma patient, as demonstrated by contrast medium-enhanced CT, should be managed nonoperatively and requires no further evaluation with angiography.