CTA and 2D–3D post-processing: radiological signs of fibromuscular dysplasia of renal artery

Abstract

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is one of the most common causes of renovascular hypertension in children and women. It is characterized by short multiple stenoses alternated to focal expansions that usually involve the lateral third of the renal artery. Digital subtraction angiography is considered the most accurate method in the diagnosis of renal artery FMD. An indirect sign of FMD-the notches on the ureter secondary to the hypertrophy of the branches of ureteric arteries "climbing" along the ureters-can be visualised during urography. We report the case of a 38-years-old woman with hypertension and no history of familiar predisposition, in which the multidetector computed tomography angiography was able to show both direct and indirect radiological signs of renal artery FMD. 2D and 3D visualisations are useful to suggest the diagnosis of FMD and in the follow-up in patients who underwent to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.