| Renal Infarct
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Etiology
Most
renal infarcts are the result of embolized thrombi that lodge in renal
arterial vessels.
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Pathogenesis
Vascular occlusion by embolized thrombi causes
infarctive, coagulative type necrosis.,
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Epidemiology
The epidemiology is
that of the primary disease process affecting the heart, i.e,
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, infectious endocarditis.
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General Gross Description
On cut section, renal infarcts are
triangular with the base at the cortical surface and the apex
pointing towards the medulla and the occluded artery. A day or so after
occlusion, the infarct appears pale compared to adjacent parenchyma. Old
resolved infarcts on cut section show a V shape absence of renal
parenchyma.
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General Microscopic Description
Recent infarcts show coagulative necrosis where the native
renal architecture is discernible but the tissue is necrotic.
Heal by scarring.
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Clinical Correlation
Since many
cases are caused by thrombi that form in the left heart, the clinical
picture may be dominanted by the cardiac problems. Flank pain may be
present and a direct reflection of the renal infarct.
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References
Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL: Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th ed. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1994, pp. 982.
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| Renal Infarct
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| Synopsis by: Harold Yamase M.D. (T71000M54700)[183]
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