ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the renal angiographic manifestations of severe hemorrhage following minimally invasive pereutaneous nephrostolithotomy (MPCNL), and to evaluate the technique of super-selective renal arterial embolization in treating the condition. Methods Forty-eight cases of severe hemorrhage following MPCNL treated with super selective renal arterial embolization in our department were retrospectively reviewed. The angiographic findings, results and complications of embolization procedures were analyzed. Results Two cases were of acute hemorrhage immediately after MPCNL, and the other 46 cases were of delayed hemorrhage 2 to 7 days after MPCNL. Of these 48 cases, 25 (52.1%) showed simple pseudo-aneurysms, 6 (12.5%) pseudo-aneurysms accompanied with arterial-venous shunts, 1 (2.1%) pseudo-aneurysm with extravasated contrast medium, 11 (22.9%) arterial-venous fistulas, 2 (4.2%) extravasated contrast medium from arterial branches, 1 (2.1%) renal capsular branches varix, 2 (4.2%) no lesion detected. Successful super-selective embolization was achieved in all 46 positive cases, and renal hemorrhage was stanched consequently. Polyvinyl alcohol foam embolization particles (PVA), gelfoam and coils were used in the procedures (PVA in 18 procedures, PVA +coil in 5, gelfoam in 10, geffoam + coil in 11, PVA + gelfoam + coil in 2). Post-embolization syndrome of various degrees were seen in all treated patients. A slight rise in blood creatinine levels was observed in 12 cases. Conclusion Super selective renal arterial angiography and embolization is the treatment of choice in patients who suffered severe hemorrhage due to MPCNL.