SUMMARY: Reversible paraplegia and acute renal failure occurred in two patients. One case was due to atheromatous occlusion of the left common iliac with thrombosis and propagation of the thrombus up the aorta, and the other a result of extensive traumatic dissecting aneurysm in a healthy young man.
After operative intervention and hemodialysis, there was complete reversal of renal failure in both cases. Complete reversal of paraplegia occurred in one case, and there was residual paraplegia in the other.
The combination of paraplegia and unexplained oliguria should lead to aortography, even if spinal cord trauma is suspected. If occlusive disease is revealed, prompt operative correction is mandatory to prevent irreversible paraplegia and renal failure.