Therapeutic embolization of polycystic kidneys

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Interventional Radiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) can lead to severe, intractable hematuria.
• End-stage renal disease (ESRD) complicates treatment options for PKD complications.
• Nephrectomy is a traditional but invasive treatment for bleeding in advanced PKD.

Observation:

• Two patients with end-stage PKD and severe hematuria underwent therapeutic renal embolization.
• Immediate cessation of hematuria was observed post-embolization.
• Recanalization of renal arterial circulation occurred subsequently.

Findings:

• Therapeutic renal embolization is highly effective in controlling hematuria in advanced PKD.
• The procedure demonstrated a favorable safety profile in this context.
• Renal artery recanalization suggests potential for preserving renal perfusion post-embolization.

Implications:

• Renal embolization presents a less invasive and effective alternative to nephrectomy for managing bleeding in PKD.
• This interventional technique may be considered for patients with ESRD and symptomatic PKD.
• Further research is warranted to evaluate long-term outcomes and broader applicability.