Description
An abnormal collection of arteries and veins within the kidney. The causes are either congenital or acquired. The most common acquired cause is abnormal healing after a medical procedure. The first sign of this abnormality may be blood in the urine (hematuria). Hypertension and flank pain is commonly associated with the disorder.
Symptoms
Bloody urine, flank pain or low back pain, uncontrolled blood pressure.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Urinalysis shows blood. A CT scan can show this blood vessel variation in the kidney.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: Angiography, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time), intravenous pyelography (IVP), CT angiogram, MR angiogram, doppler ultrasound
Specialists:
Vascular Surgery, Nephrology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Urinalysis shows blood. A CT scan can show this blood vessel variation in the kidney.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: Angiography, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time), intravenous pyelography (IVP), CT angiogram, MR angiogram, doppler ultrasound
Specialists:
Vascular Surgery, Nephrology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology
Treatment
Clotting off blood flow through the arteriovenous malformation (a procedure done with a intra-arterial catheter) is the most common treatment. Rarely surgery is required.