Post-biopsy renal arteriovenous fistula: successfully embolized with a Gianturco Mini Coil.

In recent years increasing numbers of percutaneous renal biopsies are being performed, occasionally resulting in complications such as arteriovenous (AV) fistulae. Over 35% of all renal AV fistulae are formed secondary to percutaneous biopsy. In the past patients with bleeding fistulae were treated surgically, but more recently transcatheter embolization has become a recognized form of therapy. We describe below a case of post-biopsy renal arteriovenous fistula resulting in heavy haematuria and its successful occlusion by embolization with a Gianturco Mini Coil (Gianturco, Anderson & Wallace, 1975).