Acute arterial hypertension caused by dissecting aneurysm of the renal artery

BACKGROUND: Aneurysm of the renal artery is an uncommon discovery at arteriography performed as part of a hypertension work-up. CASE REPORTS: We observed acute hypertension following dissection of a renal artery aneurysm which led to circulating channel stenosis. After surgical correction of the lesion, arterial pressures returned to normal. DISCUSSION: Most cases of renal artery aneurysm do not cause hypertension. In such cases, the high blood pressure is idiopathic or related to fibrodysplastic stenosis of the renal artery often associated with aneurysm formation. In rare cases with obstructive complications alone an aneurysm may lead to acute hypertension either after dissection as in our case or after thrombus formation. Surgery is generally required.