Intrarenal aneurysm of the renal artery in children.

Two children with hypertension had intrarenal aneurysms in the renal artery. In both children, renovascular hypertension was documented by renal vein renin assay showing elevated renin secretion from the involved kidney and suppression of renin secretion from the contralateral kidney. Transcatheter embolization of a segmental artery cured the hypertension in one case. A nephrectomy performed in the other case, because of multiple intrarenal aneurysms, was curative. Intrarenal renal artery aneurysms are an uncommon cause of renovascular hypertension in children. The aneurysms may be mycotic or congenital in origin, or secondary to diffuse vasculitis. Although spontaneous resolution of the aneurysms may occur when due to vasculitis, treatment of most aneurysms is usually necessary. Transcatheter embolization of solitary aneurysms is an attractive alternative to partial nephrectomy, since it allows maximal preservation of renal parenchyma with minimal morbidity.