Embolotherapy for small bowel hemorrhage from metastatic renal cell carcinoma : case report

Embolization for control of hemorrhage in the small bowel carries a significant risk of bowel infarction. A case is presented where severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a hypervascular renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the jejunum was effectively controlled by superselective embolization of mesenteric tumor supply arteries with Gelfoam particles. Adjacent normal mesenteric arteries remained open. It is concluded that in specific instances where direct mesenteric feeders to a tumor can be catheterized, such embolization can be performed safely.