Cortical Necrosis of the Kidneys
Renal cortical necrosis can occur at any age. About 10% of the cases occur in infants and children.
Causes
In newborns, more than half of the cases occur after delivery complicated by premature detachment of the placenta. The next most common cause is a bacterial infection of the bloodstream (sepsis).
In children, renal cortical necrosis may occur after severe infection, severe dehydration, shock, or the hemolytic-uremic syndrome.
In women, about half of the cases occur after complications of pregnancy, such as premature detachment of the placenta or abnormal position of the placenta, bleeding from the uterus, infections immediately after childbirth, blockage of arteries by amniotic fluid, death of the fetus within the uterus, and preeclampsia.
Other causes in adults include severe infection, blood loss after injuries, rejection of a transplanted kidney, burns, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), snakebite, use of certain drugs, and poisoning caused by certain chemicals.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Doctors may have difficulty making a diagnosis of renal cortical necrosis because it may resemble other types of acute kidney injury. Doctors may suspect renal cortical necrosis based on symptoms and the results of routine blood and urine tests in people who have predisposing conditions. The diagnosis is often confirmed with an imaging test such as computed tomography angiography (CT angiography). Kidney biopsy can give doctors the most accurate diagnostic information, but a biopsy involves removing tissue and can cause complications and may be unnecessary if the diagnosis is evident. Thus, a biopsy is not done in most people.
Treatment
Treatment is supportive care, which may involve giving intravenous fluids, blood transfusion, antibiotics, dialysis, or a combination. The disorder that caused cortical necrosis is treated when possible.
In recent years, with improved treatment, prognosis has improved. About 80% of people live a year or longer, although most people need permanent dialysis or kidney transplantation.
