Superselective renal artery embolization for bleeding complications after percutaneous renal biopsy: a single-center experience

Objective This study aimed to determine if superselective renal artery embolization is a safe and effective method of treating bleeding complications after percutaneous renal biopsy. Methods From January 2006 to December 2017, 43 patients (22 men and 21 women, mean age: 44.5 +/- 14.0 years) underwent angiography for post-biopsy bleeding complications following percutaneous biopsy. Patients underwent angiography and superselective artery embolization. We recorded serum creatinine and hemoglobin values to assess the effect of embolization. Results Successful embolization was achieved in all patients. There was a pseudoaneurysm in 10 cases, arteriovenous fistula in eight, contrast media extravasation in 16, arteriovenous fistula combined with contrast media extravasation in five, and pseudoaneurysm combined with arteriovenous fistula in four. The embolic substance was a microcoil only or combined with a gelatin sponge. The mean creatinine value was not different at 1 day and 1 week after embolization compared with before embolization. Mean hemoglobin values were significantly higher at 1 day and 1 week after embolization than before embolization. Conclusions Superselective renal artery embolization is a safe and effective treatment for post-biopsy bleeding complications after percutaneous renal biopsy. Lumbar or iliolumbar artery angiography is necessary if renal arteriography shows no signs of hemorrhage.