Renal artery aneurysms are weak areas in the artery that supplies the kidney. Most small aneurysms do not require treatment, but larger ones, specific types, and those in women of childbearing age require surgery. A ruptured aneurysm can be fatal. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.
A renal artery aneurysm is a weak area in the artery that goes to the kidney. Most renal artery aneurysms are small and do not require treatment, but larger aneurysms, some specific types of aneurysms, and those in women of childbearing potential typically require treatment. Treatment for a renal artery aneurysm involves surgery.
Of the aneurysms affecting the renal arteries, there are four categories. A fusiform aneurysm protrudes on each side of the artery, while a saccular aneurysm bulges on only one side. An intrarenal aneurysm is found on an artery within the kidney. A dissecting renal artery aneurysm is often painful. It is caused by a tear in the inner layer of the artery, resulting in a weak area in the artery wall.
Renal artery aneurysms develop for a variety of reasons, including congenital weakness and trauma. They typically have no symptoms, and many are diagnosed while the healthcare provider is looking into other problems. Approximately 90% of individuals with renal artery aneurysms have hypertension, however hypertension is also common in the general population. Individuals with dissecting aneurysms may experience bloody urine and flank pain.
Individuals with small aneurysms, typically smaller than 3/4 inch (2 cm), who have no symptoms often do not need treatment. Your healthcare provider will monitor your renal artery aneurysm to make sure it doesn’t get bigger. Individuals with larger aneurysms, aneurysms that affect blood flow to the kidneys, causing high blood pressure, enlarged or dissecting aneurysms require treatment. Pregnant women are at increased risk of ruptured aneurysms, so they too, along with women of childbearing potential, typically seek treatment. Surgical correction is used to treat the affected artery.
The danger of a renal artery aneurysm is that it can rupture. A ruptured aneurysm is very serious; it can shut down the affected kidney and even cause death, due to blood loss. Other conditions that affect the kidney system include stenosis, a blockage in one of the arteries of the kidneys; thrombosis, a clot in an artery or vein leading to or from the kidneys is another common condition. Atheroembolic kidney disease develops when plaque from a large artery breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream, blocking smaller arteries in the kidneys. Individuals most at risk of developing kidney problems, including an aneurysm, are women, individuals with existing high blood pressure, diabetes, and those who smoke.
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