[Arterial hypertension due to compression of the renal artery, revealing ovarian cancer].

BACKGROUND

The etiologic work-up of hypertension with hyperaldosteronism and elevated serum renin includes search for renal artery stenosis. Intrinsic stenosis is a common finding, but hypertension secondary to extrinsic compression of the renal artery is exceptional.

CASE REPORT: A 48-year-old woman with an uneventful history was hospitalized for recent onset hypertension. Laboratory tests showed hypokaliemia, and elevated aldosterone and renin. Duplex Doppler exploration of the renal vessels evidenced extrinsic compression of the left renal artery by a tumoral mass found to be a nodal metastasis at surgery. Pathology reported cancer of the ovary. Blood pressure, and aldosterone and renin levels returned to normal after complete tumor resection. No antihypertensive treatment was required.

CONCLUSION

This is undoubtedly the first case of metastatic cancer of the ovary revealed by hypertension; it can be added to the list of 49 other published cases of extrinsic compression of the renal artery by various causes leading to hypertension. In most cases, surgical removal of the obstacle or nephrectomy provided cure of the hypertension.