Spontaneous renal artery dissection presenting as an aortic dissection: a case report

BACKGROUND: Renal artery dissection is a condition that has been associated with traumatic injuries and connective tissue disorders. It has been managed in the past by multiple methods because there is no standard treatment, including vascular intervention with angioplasty and stenting, anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy, and hypertension management. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a spontaneous renal artery dissection in a 55-year-old white man with no traditional risk factors who presented twice to our emergency department in a 2-day period with different symptoms; on his first presentation he presented with symptoms consistent with renal colic and on the second visit he presented with symptoms consistent with aortic dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient was treated with endovascular stent placement by interventional radiology, heparin infusion, and admission to our medical intensive care unit. Our review here highlights the varied management of this diagnosis for which there is no standard treatment and decisions are made in conjunction with consultants.