IS Case 135: Renal Vein Varix

Igor Mikityansky, MD, MPH

Imaging Sciences URMC 2008
Publication Date: 2009-05-21

History

Patient is a 50-year-old male, status post-liver transplant.

Findings

Incidental finding of a focal enhancing ovoid density adjacent to the right renal hilum, continuous with the right renal vein and of similar attenuation.

Diagnosis

Renal Vein Varix

Discussion

Frequent incidental finding, renal varices can be idiopathic and found incidentally or associated with either renal vein thrombosis, obstruction or congenital anomalies of inferior vena cava, as well as azygous or portal hypertension [1,2]. Idiopathic renal varices demonstrate left predominance, with incidence of 6-10% in renal donors on phlebography [1,3]. Etiology of left predominance in idiopathic cases has been postulated to be stretching of this renal vein over aorta and compression between superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and aorta, the nutcracker phenomenon [1,4]. In addition, extensive collaterals from other organs and weakness of the wall of the vein may be contributing factors [1]. Furthermore, absence of gonadal vein valves and abnormal collaterals between renal and gonadal veins have been suggested as contributing factors [2]. In 31% of renal vein varix there is associated saphenous vein varicosity.

The extrarenal varices are more common than intrarenal [5]. The latter may have calcifications and can simulate renal masses, especially if thrombosed [5,6]. The differential of renal varix includes renal or urothelial neoplasm, hemangioma, blood clots, pyelo-ureteritis cystica, leukoplakia, tuberculosis, and radiolucent calculi [4,5]. Failure to recognize characteristic appearance may lead to unnecessary nephrectomy [6].

Although the excretory urogram may demonstrate external compression of renal pelvis or proximal ureter by the varix, phlebography with or without epinephrine is a historic diagnostic modality of choice [1,6]. However, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) noninvasively detect renal varices [5]. The CT demonstrate attenuation matching and continuous with that of renal vein on pre and post-contrast images [5]. The MRI demonstrates signal voids on axial spin-echo and T2-weighted images and high-signal on modified gradient echo and phase contrast with gadolinium imaging similar to that in other veins [5]. The sagittal plane is especially useful for evaluation of nutcracker syndrome. In these patients MRA demonstrates acute take off angle of SMA from aorta [7]. It could be used to diagnose this condition noninvasively, rather than demonstrating pressure gradient between the renal vein and IVC during venography [2]. In addition, Technetium-99m red blood cells have been used to demonstrate pooling in a case of renal varix caused hematuria [3].

Pain with renal varices is extremely rare. They are typically asymptomatic and only infrequently associated with hematuria [5,8]. Whether renal varices actually cause hematuria is controversial [5]. Nevertheless, surgical ligation or embolization are frequently used in patients with hematuria and/or pain and no other explanation [5]. The transposition of the left renal vein to more caudal location has been successfully used in the nutcracker syndrome [7]. Other complications include partial or complete obstruction and renal stone formation [5].

Renal vein varices are frequent incidental finding on CT or MRI. Intrarenal varices may mimic renal masses especially on non-contrast CT scans. The continuity with renal vein and similar appearance on all imaging modalities are important differentiating factors. The complications are rare and include hematuria, obstruction and stone formation. Surgical ligation or embolization may be used to treat varices associated with pain or hematuria.

References

  1. Beckmann CF, Abrams HL. Idiopathic renal vein varices: incidence and significance. Radiology. 1982 Jun;143(3):649-52. [PMID: 7079491]
  2. Weiner SN, Bernstein RG, Morehouse H, Golden RA. Hematuria secondary to left peripelvic and gonadal vein varices. Urology. 1983 Jul;22(1):81-4. [PMID: 6868259]
  3. Rendak I, Pison C, Drouin G. Demonstration of renal varices using technetium-99m red blood cells in the investigation of recurrent macroscopic hematuria. Clin Nucl Med. 1987 Nov;12(11):861-3. [PMID: 2827927]
  4. Trambert JJ, Rabin AM, Weiss KL, Tein AB. Pericaliceal varices due to the nutcracker phenomenon. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1990 Feb;154(2):305-6. [PMID: 2105019]
  5. Deibler AR, Nadig SN, Curry N, Bissada NK, Hull GW. Intrarenal varix presenting as an enhancing renal mass with calcifications. J Urol. 2001 Sep;166(3):997-8. [PMID: 11490273]
  6. Curry NS, Frangos DN, Stanley JH. Thrombosed right renal vein varix simulating a renal pelvic mass. Urol Radiol. 1987;9(1):36-8. [PMID: 3603889]

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