Renal allograft arteriovenous fistula due to needle biopsy with late onset of symptoms--diagnosis and treatment.
A post-biopsy arteriovenous (AV) fistula in a renal allograft was diagnosed using color-coded Doppler sonography. Because the patient was asymptomatic, no specific treatment was initiated. 15 months after the diagnosis was established, severe hematuria with obstruction of the bladder occurred. Angiography revealed a connection of the fistula to the renal pelvis. The patient was treated successfully by transarterial embolization of the fistula. As a conclusion, we suggest periodical follow-up examinations of asymptomatic AV fistulas in renal allografts using color-coded Doppler sonography during 3-6 months. When no spontaneous regression of the fistula can be observed, embolization therapy should be performed even when the fistula is asymptomatic, in order to prevent late onset of complications.
Hübsch
P
P
2nd Department of Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
Schurawitzki
H
H
Traindl
O
O
Karnel
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors