Chemical ablation of the canine kidney using sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol). A histopathologic study

We studied the histopathologic effect of intraarterial Sotradecol (Elkins-Sinn, Inc., Cherry Hill, NJ) on the kidney and examined the mechanism for destruction of renal parenchyma by Sotradecol. Sotradecol was injected into one renal artery distal to an occlusion balloon catheter in six dogs, and the kidneys were removed for histologic examination; four dogs within 20 minutes, and one each at 12 and 24 hours after embolization. The contralateral kidney of each dog underwent the same procedure but was injected with normal saline, and served as control. Histologic examination of the control kidneys was unremarkable. The embolized kidneys revealed extensive endothelial denudation and mural necrosis of the arteries and coagulation necrosis of the renal parenchyma. The changes were evident as early as 20 minutes after embolization, and necrosis became complete by 24 hours. The arteries were filled with red blood cell sludge. Sotradecol produces extensive tissue necrosis and complete renal parenchymal destruction through its direct cytotoxic action on the arterial wall, blood cell elements, and renal parenchyma.