Embolization and angioplasty to relieve malignant hypertension and azotemia in a renal transplant patient

Embolization of the kidney in secondary renal hypertension as an alternative to surgical nephrectomy. An experimental study

Embolization of the renal arterial bed with embolization agent Vilan 500 was performed in 13 dogs. Embolized kidneys shrink after the procedure and the functional parenchyma is extinguished. Peripheral PRA values were followed to find out whether renin production by the embolized kidney is extinguished (the non-embolized kidney was surgically removed). In nine of the thirteen dogs peripheral PRA decreased below 0.5 ng/ml/h; this renin activity can be considered extrarenal. Embolization of the kidneys with Vilan 500 can thus substitute surgical nephrectomy in patients with secondary renal hypertension.

The transplanted kidney. Diagnostic and interventional radiology

Following kidney allotransplantation a great number of complications threaten the patient and his graft, e.g. acute tubular necrosis, acute and chronic rejection, urologic and vascular complications and complications due to the immunosuppressive treatment. During the last decade a number of technical developments in radionuclide, ultrasonographic and radiographic imaging and intervention has significantly improved the possibility of early recognition and handling of such complications. Knowledge of the capability and limitations of the various techniques is of vital importance for their rational use. The aim of this review article is to give a short description of the various imaging modalities, the rational monitoring of the posttransplant patient, and possible handling of complications by the aid of imaging techniques.