VB
Vikas Bhardwaj
Medical Technologist, AIIMS New Delhi
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
**Core Concept**
The question describes a patient with hypertension and renal involvement, leading to a parvus tardus pattern on renal Doppler, which suggests a potential obstruction to blood flow in the renal arteries. This condition can be due to various underlying causes, including fibromuscular dysplasia, atherosclerosis, or other vascular anomalies.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The parvus tardus pattern on renal Doppler is a characteristic finding in conditions that cause a significant reduction in blood flow to the kidney, such as renal artery stenosis. This condition can lead to a decrease in renal function and may result in hypertension that is refractory to standard antihypertensive drugs. The CT renal angiogram is a diagnostic tool used to visualize the renal arteries and identify any potential obstructions or anomalies.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because fibromuscular dysplasia is a common cause of renal artery stenosis, which can lead to a parvus tardus pattern on renal Doppler.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because atherosclerosis is a common cause of renal artery stenosis, especially in older patients.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because Takayasu arteritis is a large vessel vasculitis that can affect the renal arteries and cause renal artery stenosis, leading to a parvus tardus pattern on renal Doppler.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that a parvus tardus pattern on renal Doppler can be an indicator of renal artery stenosis, which requires further investigation with imaging studies like CT renal angiogram to identify the underlying cause.
**Correct Answer: D.**