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Case Reports
. 2025 Jun 9;11(5):101875.
doi: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2025.101875. eCollection 2025 Oct.

Renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombosis as a rare complication of pyelonephritis

Jan Wirth  1   2 , Karel Houdek  1   2 , Jiří Moláček  1   2 , Lukáš Bednář  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Renal vein and inferior vena cava thrombosis as a rare complication of pyelonephritis

Jan Wirth et al. J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. .

Abstract

Renal vein thrombosis (RVT) and inferior vena cava thrombosis are extremely rare conditions, yet potentially life-threatening complications of pyelonephritis. This report describes the case of a 66-year-old patient with undiagnosed pyelonephritis, who subsequently developed RVT with an extension to the inferior vena cava. The management of the condition involved a multidisciplinary approach that resulted in nephrectomy with an extraction of the thrombus through cavotomy. This case report emphasizes the necessity of early recognition of RVT owing to pyelonephritis and complex management of this condition to prevent the adverse outcomes of impending complications.

Keywords: Acute pyelonephritis; Cavotomy; Nephrectomy; Renal vein thrombosis; Thromboinflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava (IVC) (red arrow).
Fig 2
Fig 2
Right kidney infarction secondary to renal vein thrombosis (RVT).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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