Renal Vein Occlusion

Renal vein occlusion is the blockage of the vessel responsible for carrying blood out of the kidney, usually by a clot. When drainage is impeded, the kidney can become congested and have its function altered.

When to suspect it? It may present with flank pain, blood in the urine, or swelling, although sometimes it produces no clear discomfort and is discovered in imaging studies done for another reason.

Common causes: it is linked to disorders that favor clotting, to kidney diseases, and, in some cases, to compression of the vessel itself.

Which specialist treats it? Its evaluation corresponds to the cardiologist and, in children, the pediatric cardiologist, in coordination with other specialists depending on the cause. If urinary symptoms or persistent lower back pain appear, it is advisable to seek medical guidance to study renal vein occlusion.