Transarterial embolisation for congenital renal arteriovenous malformations improves clinical condition even with partial obliteration

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolisation (TAE), used to treat congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (CRAVMs). The medical records were searched retrospectively to identify patients who underwent TAE to treat CRAVM from January 2003 to August 2015. Patient demographics, clinical presentations, and imaging findings were reviewed. TAE outcomes, including complete or partial obliteration, clinical success, complications, renal function changes, and relapse of symptoms or signs after the final TAE, were assessed. Over the 12-year period, 16 patients (nine male, seven female; median age, 47 years) who underwent 21 TAE procedures to treat 16 CRAVMs were enrolled in the study. The most common clinical presentation was haematuria (81.3%). Thirteen patients (81.3%) had cirsoid and three (18.7%) had aneurysmal CRAVMs. Of the 16 CRAVMs, 11 (68.8%) were peripheral, four (25%) were central, and one (6.3%) was both peripheral and central. The complete obliteration rate was 56.3%. The clinical success rate was 87.5% over a median follow-up period of 398.5 days. Two (9.5%) major complications and 14 (66.7%) minor complications were encountered. No statistically significant change in renal function was evident after TAE. TAE was safe and effective when used to treat CRAVM; the complication profile was acceptable and renal function was preserved. TAE improved the clinical condition of CRAVM patients even when obliteration was only partial. •We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of patients undergoing transarterial embolization (TAE) to treat congenital renal arteriovenous malformations (CRAVMs).•TAE was safe and effective; the level of complications was acceptable and renal function was preserved.•TAE improved the clinical condition even when obliteration was only partial.