Hypertension associated with tumors adjacent to renal arteries

Compression of the renal artery by tumors is an unusual cause of renovascular hypertension. Four additional cases of the association of hypertension and tumors adjacent to renal arteries are reported. Histologic examination showed pheochromocytoma in two, leiomyosarcoma in one and a papillary carcinoma in the fourth. In each patient activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (R-A-A-system) was found to be increased. In view of the tumor localization, these findings suggested a disturbed renal blood flow. These cases further illustrate the variability of x-ray features in patients with tumors involving renal arteries.