Rare complication of subacute renal artery intramural haematoma after renal artery stenting: a case report

BACKGROUND: Renal artery intramural haematoma (IMH) is a rare cause of renal artery obstruction after stenting. Diagnosis and treatment are difficult as there are only a few cases reported. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of sudden-onset abdominal pain and non-functional kidney 3 days after renal artery stent implantation. Subacute luminal narrowing of the renal artery was initially diagnosed using computed tomography angiography and renal artery angiography, and a final diagnosis of subacute renal artery IMH was made using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Subsequently, the patient was treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty from far to near and another stent implantation. At the third month follow-up, blood pressure and renal function were normal. DISCUSSION: This case suggests that IVUS could be useful for qualifying and treating the subacute renal artery IMH.