Dissecting Aneurysm of the Renal Artery

The vast majority of dissecting aneurysms originate in the aorta, with the main branches involved only by extension from the aortic source. Edwards, however, expressed the opinion that local dissecting aneurysm superimposed on atheromatous changes may be associated with thrombosis of peripheral arteries and cites a case of local dissection in the popliteal artery.¹Lovitt and Corzine also report the occurrence of dissecting aneurysm in the coronary arteries.²Most dissecting aneurysms are found in relation to atherosclerotic or medial necrotic vascular changes. Careful perusal of the literature failed to reveal a case of local dissection of the renal artery without evidence of aortic involvement. Report of a Case A 47-year-old man was in apparent good health until eight hours prior to hospitalization (April 26, 1952), at which time there was the sudden onset of deep, nauseating, nonradiating, intense left flank pain. A moderate degree of shock was present