[Postpartum renal cortical necrosis]

Abstract

The authors report two cases of post-partum cortical renal necrosis. The diagnosis was made on clinical and biological criteria (severe, prolonged oliguria, the signs of intra-vascular coagulation defects, a rise in L.D.H. and anaemia with micro-angiopathy. It is confirmed by selective renal arteriography and renal punch-biopsy. There is a threefold method of treatment: --of the kidney condition by repeated haemodialysis and diuretics; --antihypertensive treatment; --treatment aimed at the aetiological pathology (heparin, anti-platelet aggregation and fresh plasma). Functional recovery of the kidney was obtained in both cases (after an interval of 1 year and an interval of 1 1/2 year). The authors review the diagnostic, physiopathological, morphological and therapeutic elements in the condition of cortical renal necrosis.