[Renal artery stenosis after abdominal radiotherapy].
BACKGROUND
Renal artery stenosis represented 1 to 5% of all arterial hypertensions and is the leading cause of secondary hypertension. Renovascular hypertension is more common among women less than 30 years old (fibrodysplasia, 33%) and men older than 50 years old (66% atherosclerosis). Other causes are rare, especially radiation-induced renal artery stenosis.


METHODS
We report the case of Mr. D., 49 years old, with severe high blood pressure (230/125 mmHg) seven years after abdominal radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease. Echo-Doppler was performed and found a subocclusive right ostial renal artery stenosis probably radiation-induced taking into account the history of the patient. Renal angiography confirmed this diagnosis and percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty was performed with a final acceptable result (residual stenosis<50%).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation-induced renal artery stenosis is rare (0.5/1000 to 1%). Most of the cases are proximal and the median time from radiation to referral is nine years. Radiation-induced nephritis disease was often referred to occurrence high blood pressure after abdominal radiotherapy but various data shows that radiation can also cause damage to larger vessels sizes (such as renal arteries) induced by atherosclerosis radiation. Patients should be successful treated by percutaneous intervention, as demonstrated by Fakhouri et al. [Am J Kidney Dis 38 (2001) 302-309] in a study of 11 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This case shows that radiation-induced renal artery stenosis may occur many years after initial treatment, and patients developing severe arterial hypertension after abdominal radiation should be investigated for renal artery stenosis.
Bali
L
L
Department of Cardiology, CHU La Timone, Marseille, France. laurent.bali@laposte.net
Silhol
F
F
Kateb
A
A
Vaisse
B
B
D000005:Abdomen; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012078:Renal Artery Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery