Percutaneous Renal Cryoablation Complicated by Hemorrhage

Abstract

The authors describe a case in which a patient underwent percutaneous cryoablation of a suspected right renal cell carcinoma complicated by bleeding. Urgent angiography revealed a lower renal pole arteriovenous (AV) fistula, correlating with the recent treatment site. This AV fistula was successfully treated with coil and Gelfoam embolization. Three days later, the patient's hemoglobin dropped following dialysis. Computed tomography (CT) imaging revealed an increase in the size of the pararenal hematoma. There were multiple pseudoaneurysms as well as a small AV fistula on repeat angiography. The right main renal artery was coil embolized.