Segmental renal artery embolization in solitary renal carcinoma

Segmental renal artery embolization was performed as an alternative method to treat solitary renal carcinoma in 2 patients who were poor surgical candidates. In the first patient, a recurrent renal carcinoma in a solitary kidney was selectively embolized. Tumor aggression was observed eighteen months later. Recanalization of the segmental artery and collateral from the capsular artery required a second embolization. In the second patient with a transitional cell carcinoma involving the lower half of the only functioning kidney, segmental renal artery embolization successfully controlled his persistent gross hematuria.