Mishal Shanover 3 years ago

String of Beads- Fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries

Fibromuscular dysplasia is an idiopathic condition characterized by fibromuscular thickening of medium and small arteries. The involvement of certain segments along with sparing of others leads to the characteristic radiological appearance referred to as 'string of beads appearance'. Symptoms depend on the artery involved. Narrowing of the renal artery leads to hypertension while carotid or vertebral artery involvement can lead to ischemic attacks and stroke. Similarly, myocardial infarct may result if the coronary arteries are affected. Treatment involves angioplasty or any other procedure to widen the narrowed segments. Image via: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11255-006-9104-7