Therapeutic embolization of the kidney with detachable silicone balloons.

Detachable silicone balloons were used for therapeutic renal artery embolization in 14 patients. Hematuria was controlled by occlusion of the arteriovenous fistulas in 6 patients and aneurysms in 3. The method was used for preoperative occlusion of the renal artery in 4 patients with renal cell carcinoma and for renal ablation in an attempt to cure hypertension in 1 additional patient. Detachable silicone balloons offer a safe and precise method for the occlusion of traumatic arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysms of the renal artery branches. Although balloon embolization also can be applied to the preoperative occlusion of renal neoplasms the conventional embolization techniques using absorbable gelatin sponge and coils are equally effective with less expense. No complications were observed in our 14 patients.