Transcatheter selective renal arterial embolization for percutaneous nephrostomy related hemorrhage

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transcatheter selective renal arterial embolization for treatment of percutaneous nephrostomy related hemorrhage. Methods: 12 patients with percutaneous nephrostomy related hemorrhage were undertaken selective renal arterial embolization, containing steel coils, polyvinyl alcohol particles (PVA)or gelfoam chips. Results: Renal angiograms revealed intrarenal arteriovenous fistula in 2 cases, contrast media extravasation in 4, intrarenal pseudo- aneurysm in 3 and intrarenal pseudoaneurysm associated with arteriovenous fistula in 3 cases. Angiographies documented complete obliteration of all the abnormal vessels simultaneously without other major intrarenal arterial branches occlusion after the procedure of embolization, and macroscopic hematuria in all 12 patients disappeared within 3-7 days. No recurrent hemorrhage and seriously complication occurred during follow-up period. Conclusions: Transcatheter selective renal arterial embolization is a minimally invasive, safe and effective technique to treat hemorrhage caused by percutaneous nephrostomy. (authors)