Embolization of Congenital Renal Arteriovenous Malformations Using Ethanol and Coil Depending on Angiographic Types

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of embolization of congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using ethanol and/or coil according to angiographic type.

Between August 2010 and October 2015, 11 patients (13 sessions; 10 women and 1 man; mean age, 50.8 y) with congenital renal AVMs were treated using ethanol and/or coils via 2 approaches (transarterial access or direct puncture). Demographics, clinical findings, diagnostic modalities, angiographic types, technical and clinical success rates, and complications were reviewed. Renal AVMs were classified into 3 angiographic types, and treatment was based on this classification.

Technical success rate was 91% (10/11), and clinical success rate was 100% (11/11). Of patients, 7 had type III AVMs, 3 had type I AVMs, and 1 had type II AVM. Embolic agents were ethanol in 5 patients, coils with ethanol in 3 patients, and coils in 3 patients. Of the 8 patients treated with ethanol, 6 had infarcted renal areas of 3.5%-30% (mean, 14.6%). After a mean follow-up period of 16.3 months, there was no evidence of recurrent AVMs on imaging or laboratory studies.

Embolization of congenital renal AVMs via transarterial or direct percutaneous approaches using ethanol and/or coils based on a simple angiographic classification was safe and effective and elicited good outcomes. Most of the patients with congenital renal AVMs were women.