Catheter-directed therapy for acute renal vein thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report.

We report our experience using catheter-directed thrombectomy/thrombolysis (CDT) to treat a patient with acute renal vein thrombosis (RVT) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 34-year-old woman presented with persistent left flank pain, and a renal ultrasonography examination revealed an enlarged left kidney. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography confirmed the presence of acute left RVT. Because medical treatment failed to relieve her pain and the renal function was deteriorating, we attempted to salvage the occluded left renal vein using an endovascular approach. The pain was completely relieved after a CDT and an overnight urokinase infusion. A follow-up computed tomography examination revealed the complete resolution of the thrombus. The creatinine level returned to normal (1.7-0.4 mg/dL), along with contrast enhancement in the left kidney, and this suggested the preservation of renal function. To our knowledge, this is the first report utilizing CDT to treat SLE-associated RVT. When the renal function is deteriorating, CDT is worth considering for RVT if conventional medical treatment has failed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.