Selective embolization with autologous fat to treat massive bleeding secondary to percutaneous renal biopsy

Bleeding following a percutaneous renal biopsy is a complication that can be life-threatening. Embolization of the bleeding artery is a procedure that can limit the damage; however, embolization devices can be costly or not immediately available. This is why we present the case of a 25-year-old man with a history of multiple thromboses who underwent a renal biopsy due to suspected systemic lupus erythematosus. Five days after the procedure, he developed hypovolemic shock. A CT scan was performed due to suspected hemorrhage and showed active bleeding at the renal biopsy site. Since embolization devices were not immediately available, selective embolization of the bleeding artery was successfully performed using autologous fat. It is known that embolization with coils is the most frequently used interventional procedure to stop bleeding secondary to renal biopsies. However, embolization with autologous fat is a proven technique to stop bleeding in coronary perforations. In this case, we adapted this technique to treat an actively bleeding renal artery secondary to a renal biopsy. Based on this case, we consider that this technique may be an alternative when coil embolization is not available.