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Renal vein thrombosis

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• Symptoms
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Definition:

Renal vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.

Alternative Names:

Clot in the renal vein; Occlusion - renal vein

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Renal vein thrombosis is a fairly uncommon situation that may happen after trauma to the abdomen or back, or it may occur because of a tumor, stricture (scar formation), or other blockage of the vein. It may be associated with nephrotic syndrome .

In some children it occurs after severe dehydration , and is a more serious condition than in adults. Dehydration is the most common cause of renal vein thrombosis in infants.

• Review Date: 12/9/2005
• Reviewed By: Colm C. Magee, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Renal Transplant, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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