Embolization of Congenital Renal Arteriovenous Malformations Using Ethanol and Coil Depending on Angiographic Types

Purpose

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of embolization of congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using ethanol and/or coil according to angiographic type.

Materials and Methods

Between August 2010 and October 2015, 11 patients (13 sessions; 10 women and 1 man; mean age, 50.8 y) with congenital renal AVMs were treated using ethanol and/or coils via 2 approaches (transarterial access or direct puncture). Demographics, clinical findings, diagnostic modalities, angiographic types, technical and clinical success rates, and complications were reviewed. Renal AVMs were classified into 3 angiographic types, and treatment was based on this classification.

Results

Technical success rate was 91% (10/11), and clinical success rate was 100% (11/11). Of patients, 7 had type III AVMs, 3 had type I AVMs, and 1 had type II AVM. Embolic agents were ethanol in 5 patients, coils with ethanol in 3 patients, and coils in 3 patients. Of the 8 patients treated with ethanol, 6 had infarcted renal areas of 3.5%–30% (mean, 14.6%). After a mean follow-up period of 16.3 months, there was no evidence of recurrent AVMs on imaging or laboratory studies.

Conclusions

Embolization of congenital renal AVMs via transarterial or direct percutaneous approaches using ethanol and/or coils based on a simple angiographic classification was safe and effective and elicited good outcomes. Most of the patients with congenital renal AVMs were women.