[Techniques and complications of interventional radiology in vascular diseases of transplanted kidneys]

The authors present a general review on the various techniques of interventional radiology in the treatment of vascular complications of renal transplants. Arterial stenosis require generally percutaneous transluminal angioplasty; arterial stenting is justified in cases of multiple restenosis and occluding dissection. Arterial thrombosis is treated by fibrinolysis or clot aspiration. Treatment of venous complications, such as stenosis or thrombosis, require analogous methods. Arterio-venous fistula and arterial aneurysms due to renal biopsy can be obliterated by dissection with a guide wire, or dropping of metallic coils, or electrical embolization. The authors emphasize the technical aspects, the difficulties and the complications of these procedures. The most frequent complication is the spasm of the renal transplant artery, which may lead to thrombosis. Arterial wall rupture and dissections are very rare. Hematoma at the puncture site of the arterial access are frequent; they may lead to false aneurysm, which can be treated also by noninvasive methods of interventional radiology.