Renal infarction without hematuria: two case reports

J Emerg Med. 2006 Jan;30(1):57-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2005.03.013.

Abstract

Clinical cases of renal infarction are rarely seen and often either misdiagnosed or initially treated as something else. In most circumstances, renal infarctions are discovered accidentally, not due to a consideration of the diagnosis. A review of the literature reveals that we ought to search for the entity in patients with risk factors such as atrial fibrillation, infarction history or potential, mitral stenosis, infective endocarditis, atrial or ventricular septal defect, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases. In addition, the rise of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) in serum and the presence of hematuria serves as a good indicator of the malady. We present two cases we encountered early this year in our Emergency Department. In both cases, white blood cell count and LDH showed significant increases, but there was no hematuria present. Both were successfully treated with LMWH (low-molecular-weight heparin). Upon discharge, both patients regained normal renal function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Infarction / drug therapy
  • Kidney / blood supply*
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Kidney Diseases / drug therapy
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / blood
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase