Supraselective embolization as a method for the management of renal vascular injuries

BACKGROUND: Renal injuries are most often caused by traumatic injuries, but they can also be induced iatrogenically, during renal biopsy, percutaneous nephrostomy or lithotripsy. Vascular renal injuries may be treated by embolization, non-surgical or surgical methods. CASE REPORT: In this paper we presented a high-risk patient with poor outcome of an open surgery threatment and a prior attempt of embolization, with gross haematuria caused by traumatic renal arterio-venous (AV) fistula and pyelocalical injury who was managed by supraselective embolization of the irrigating arterial vessel. CONCLUSION: Supraselective embolization is a first choice method for the treatment of low grade renal vessel injuries. Even patients with the most severe renovascular lesions and major renal destruction (a grade IV injury) can be treated nonsurgically with supraselective embolization, with an excellent chance to preserve the maximal amount of functional renal parenchyma. This method is rapid, effective, tissue preserving, and likely to reduce morbidity and mortality.