BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRenal vein thrombosisBlood clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal veinRenal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.Blood clotBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Renal vein thrombosis is an uncommon disorder. It may be caused by:Abdominal aortic aneurysm Abdominal aortic aneurysmThe aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when an area of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hypercoagulable state: clotting disorders Dehydration (mostly in infants) DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Estrogen use Nephrotic syndrome Nephrotic syndromeNephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms and abnormal test results that include protein in the urine, low blood protein levels in the blood, high ch...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pregnancy Scar formation with pressure on the renal vein RenalThe term "renal" refers to the kidney. For example, renal failure means kidney failure. Related topics:Kidney diseaseKidney disease - dietKidney fai...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma (to the back or abdomen) TumorTumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article In adults, the most common cause is nephrotic syndrome. In infants, the most common cause is dehydration. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Blood clot to the lung Bloody urine Decreased urine output Decreased urine outputDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Flank pain or low back pain Flank painFlank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests An exam may not reveal the specific problem. However, it may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.Tests include:Abdominal CT scan Abdominal CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal MRI Abdominal MRIAn abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Duplex Doppler exam of the renal veins Urinalysis may show protein in the urine or red blood cells in the urine UrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Protein in the urineThe urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample. Albumin and protein can also be measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Red blood cells in the urineThe RBC urine test measures the number of red blood cells in a urine sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the kidney veins (venography) Treatment The treatment helps to prevent the formation of new clots and reduces the risk of clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).You may get medicines that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants). You may be told to rest in bed or cut down on activity for a short time. If sudden kidney failure develops, you may need dialysis for a short period.DialysisDialysis treats end-stage kidney failure. It removes harmful substances from the blood when the kidneys cannot. This article focuses on peritoneal d...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Renal vein thrombosis most often gets better over time without lasting damage to the kidneys. Possible Complications Complications may include:Acute renal failure (especially if thrombosis occurs in a dehydrated child) End stage renal disease Blood clot moves to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) Pulmonary embolismA pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Formation of new blood clots When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your provider if you have:Decrease in urine output Blood in the urine Breathing problems (due to blood clot moving to your lung called pulmonary embolism) Breathing problemsBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other new symptoms Prevention In most cases, there is no specific way to prevent renal vein thrombosis. Keeping enough fluids in the body may help reduce risk.Aspirin is sometimes used to prevent renal vein thrombosis in people who have had a kidney transplant. Blood thinners such as warfarin may be recommended for some people with chronic kidney disease.Open ReferencesReferencesAugustine J, Wee AC, Krishnamurthi V, Goldfarb DA. Renal insufficiency and ischemic nephropathy. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 87.DuBose TD, Santos RM. Vascular disorders of the kidney. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 116.Greco BA, Umanath K. Renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 41.AllVideoImagesTogKidney anatomy - illustration The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and the stimulation of red blood cell production.Kidney anatomyillustrationKidney - blood and urine flow - illustration This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.Kidney - blood and urine flowillustrationKidney anatomy - illustration The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and the stimulation of red blood cell production.Kidney anatomyillustrationKidney - blood and urine flow - illustration This is the typical appearance of the blood vessels (vasculature) and urine flow pattern in the kidney. The blood vessels are shown in red and the urine flow pattern in yellow.Kidney - blood and urine flowillustration Tests for Renal vein thrombosis Renal venogramAbdominal CT scanRelated Information Blood clots(Condition)Tumor(Condition)Nephrotic syndrome(Condition)Dehydration(Condition)Renal(Special Topic)Arteriogram(Medical Test)Acute kidney failure(Condition)Pulmonary embolus(Condition) Review Date: 4/12/2023 Reviewed By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Renal vein thrombosisBlood clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal veinRenal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.Blood clotBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Renal vein thrombosis is an uncommon disorder. It may be caused by:Abdominal aortic aneurysm Abdominal aortic aneurysmThe aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when an area of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hypercoagulable state: clotting disorders Dehydration (mostly in infants) DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Estrogen use Nephrotic syndrome Nephrotic syndromeNephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms and abnormal test results that include protein in the urine, low blood protein levels in the blood, high ch...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pregnancy Scar formation with pressure on the renal vein RenalThe term "renal" refers to the kidney. For example, renal failure means kidney failure. Related topics:Kidney diseaseKidney disease - dietKidney fai...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma (to the back or abdomen) TumorTumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article In adults, the most common cause is nephrotic syndrome. In infants, the most common cause is dehydration. Symptoms Symptoms may include:Blood clot to the lung Bloody urine Decreased urine output Decreased urine outputDecreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 milliliters of urine in 24 hours (a little over ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Flank pain or low back pain Flank painFlank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests An exam may not reveal the specific problem. However, it may indicate nephrotic syndrome or other causes of renal vein thrombosis.Tests include:Abdominal CT scan Abdominal CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal MRI Abdominal MRIAn abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Abdominal ultrasound Abdominal ultrasoundAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Duplex Doppler exam of the renal veins Urinalysis may show protein in the urine or red blood cells in the urine UrinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Protein in the urineThe urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample. Albumin and protein can also be measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Red blood cells in the urineThe RBC urine test measures the number of red blood cells in a urine sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the kidney veins (venography) Treatment The treatment helps to prevent the formation of new clots and reduces the risk of clot traveling to other locations in the body (embolization).You may get medicines that prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants). You may be told to rest in bed or cut down on activity for a short time. If sudden kidney failure develops, you may need dialysis for a short period.DialysisDialysis treats end-stage kidney failure. It removes harmful substances from the blood when the kidneys cannot. This article focuses on peritoneal d...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Renal vein thrombosis most often gets better over time without lasting damage to the kidneys. Possible Complications Complications may include:Acute renal failure (especially if thrombosis occurs in a dehydrated child) End stage renal disease Blood clot moves to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) Pulmonary embolismA pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Formation of new blood clots When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of renal vein thrombosis.If you have experienced renal vein thrombosis, call your provider if you have:Decrease in urine output Blood in the urine Breathing problems (due to blood clot moving to your lung called pulmonary embolism) Breathing problemsBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other new symptoms Prevention In most cases, there is no specific way to prevent renal vein thrombosis. Keeping enough fluids in the body may help reduce risk.Aspirin is sometimes used to prevent renal vein thrombosis in people who have had a kidney transplant. Blood thinners such as warfarin may be recommended for some people with chronic kidney disease.Open ReferencesReferencesAugustine J, Wee AC, Krishnamurthi V, Goldfarb DA. Renal insufficiency and ischemic nephropathy. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 87.DuBose TD, Santos RM. Vascular disorders of the kidney. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 116.Greco BA, Umanath K. Renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 41.