RESUMO
A renal arteriovenous fistula is a rare disorder despite the increasing number of cases reported since l960. Approximately more than 300 cases have been described sine the first case reported by Varela in l923. Most of these fistulas were acquired in origin and were found in recent years owing to the increasing use of angiography and needle biopsy of the kidney as diagnostic methods, the rise in violence and consequent renal trauma cases. Treatment has consisted of partial nephrectomy, ligation of the branch artery supplying the fistula and intentional embolization of the arterial branches, feeding the shunt by catheter. Unless cardiovascular complications are present, salvage of the residual part of the involved kidney is possible. Herein, we report a case treated successfully by transcatheter embolization and review the literatures with emphasis upon the salvage of the renal function.