Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic arteriovenus fistula with hematuria post nephrostomy
![](https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-IN/products/embolization/Direxion_Microcatheters/case_library/endovascular_treatment_of_iatrogenic/_jcr_content/maincontent-par/image_8.img.case10_1.jpg)
Angio-CT
A 73-year old male with infiltrating bladder cancer, underwent endoscopic resection. Three months later, he showed persistent hematuria and anemia so the urologists inserted a bilateral nephrostomy to correct the hemoglobin values. Six days later, the patient still showed hematuria and low hemoglobin, so we performed an Angio-CT scan that confirmed blood in the urinary tract.
Furthermore, the arterial acquisition showed the presence of AVF with a distal pseudoaneurysm in proximity of percutaneous access.
![](https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-IN/products/embolization/Direxion_Microcatheters/case_library/endovascular_treatment_of_iatrogenic/_jcr_content/maincontent-par/image_9.img.case10_2.jpg)
Diagnostic Angiography
We decided to perform an endovadscular procedure to treat this complication with a mini invasive approach.
The preliminary Digital subtraction angiography, obtained through 5 French (1.67mm) diagnostic catheter, confirmed the AVF with early opacification of the renal vein (arrow) and the pseudoaneurysm (arrowhead).
![](https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-IN/products/embolization/Direxion_Microcatheters/case_library/endovascular_treatment_of_iatrogenic/_jcr_content/maincontent-par/image_10.img.case10_3.jpg)
Treatment
A torqueable straight-shape Direxion 0.021" microcatheter was chosen to performed a superselective catheterization of an afferent vessel.
The embolization was reached using five 0.018" coils , 4 mm in diameter, in the anterior-lower segmental artery of the right kidney.
The deployment was successfully performed through the Direxion™ 0.21" (0.53mm) inner lumen.
![](https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-IN/products/embolization/Direxion_Microcatheters/case_library/endovascular_treatment_of_iatrogenic/_jcr_content/maincontent-par/image_11.img.case10_4.jpg)
Result
Selective arterial embolization was achieved also thanks to Direxion slotted nitinol hypotube technology. This structure is designed to maximize torque transmission in the catheter shaft giving the microcatether a great torqueability.
The final digital subtraction angiography check confirmed the complete embolization of the vessel with disappearance of arterovenous fistula and pseudoaneurism.
Dr. Stefano Marcia - Chief of Radiology Department & Interventional Radiologist – “SS. Trinità Hospital” – Cagliari
Dr. Alessio Spinelli – Dr. Stefano Marini - Dr. Emanuele Piras - Interventional Radiologists – “SS. Trinità Hospital” – Cagliari