The Role of Arterial Embolization with Ethanol in Renal Tumors

Moon, Woo Chul; Park, Jae Hyung; Han, Man Chung; Lee, Chong Wook

Abstract

Seven patients who underwent therapeutic arterial embolization of renal tumors with absolute ethanol are described. In one patient massive life threatening hematuria from the huge angiomyolipoma was successfully controlled by superselective infusion of tumor vessels with absolute ethanol. In five other patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma intraarterial infusion of absolute ethanol resulted in relief of the troublesome symptoms, hematuria and/or flank pain. In one patient with renal cell caraimma involving inferior vena cava, preoperative ethanol infusion facilitated operative procedure. Usual angiocatheter was used in 5 cases and balloon catheter was used in last 2 cases to prevent potential reflux. A dose of 0.25-0.5ml per kg body weight was injected in a rate o[ 2 ml/sec. Angiography 15 min after ethanol injection revealed complete blockade of the artery in most cases. All patients experienced varying degree of postembolization syndrome but tolerated well. There was no evidence of inadvertent damage of other organs. We found arterial embolization with absolute ethanol is effective and safe method in the management of renal tumors.