# Transplant renal vein thrombosis and stenosis were rescued by interventional radiology

## TL;DR

A patient with transplant renal vein thrombosis was successfully treated using interventional radiology instead of surgery.

## Contribution

This case demonstrates interventional radiology as a viable alternative to surgery for treating transplant renal vein thrombosis.

## Key findings

- Interventional radiology successfully restored blood flow in a patient with transplant renal vein thrombosis.
- Balloon dilation was used to breach stenosis and improve blood flow in the renal vein.
- Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed the thrombosis and collateral vessel regurgitation.

## Abstract

Transplant renal vein thrombosis is a serious post‐transplant complication. We report a case in which a thrombus was found in the transplant renal vein and rescued the transplanted kidney utilizing interventional radiology.

A 56‐year‐old woman underwent ABO‐compatible living donor renal transplantation due to impaired renal function caused by IgA nephropathy. On postoperative Day 13, there was a finding on transplant renal echocardiography that appeared to be an interruption of peripheral renal blood flow in diastole. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography revealed that the vein was occluded due to the hematoma, and thrombosis was observed within, and distal contrast showed regurgitation into the collateral vessels. The stenosis was breached and balloon dilation restored progressive blood flow through interventional radiology.

Although open surgical thrombectomy is mainly considered for treatment for transplant renal vein thrombosis, interventional radiology might be the alternative treatment option.