[Superselective kidney artery embolization as therapy of choice in bleeding of benign origin]

Over a period of 15 years selective embolization of the renal artery was performed in 22 patients (15 men, 7 women; mean age 47.5 [5-73] years), using a percutaneously introduced coaxial technique with a 3F catheter. Tissue glue (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) was employed in 18 cases, spiral wire in two, detachable balloon in three and gel-foam in one case. The bleeding had been iatrogenic in 20 cases, in one it was the result of a traffic accident, while in another the bleeding was from an angioma. The procedure was successful at the first attempt in 21 patients, permanently arresting bleeding in 18. There were three complications, transitory and not requiring treatment in two. In one patient gel-foam embolization went to a wrong site and a nephrectomy had to be performed.--This form of selective embolization is the treatment of choice in traumatic injury to a renal vessel.