BACKGROUND: Ureteral-iliac artery fistulae are rare, yet potentially life-threatening, causes of hematuria. Treatment has traditionally been surgical, but advances in endovascular technology have led to a few recent reports of therapy with covered stents. We report two cases of patients diagnosed with ureteral-iliac artery fistulae who were treated with Wallgraft endoprostheses, a new, commercially available covered stent. CASES: We report two patients with gynecologic malignancies who presented with massive hematuria and hypotension and were subsequently proven to have ureteral-iliac arterial fistulae. Both patients had prior pelvic surgery, radiation, and chronic indwelling ureteral stents. Once the diagnosis was established, both patients were managed with endovascular covered stent placement. The patients' conditions stabilized, hematuria ceased, and both were discharged from the hospital without additional transfusion or surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Endovascular therapy with covered stents is a safe, effective, and readily available method for the treatment of ureteral-iliac artery fistulae.
BACKGROUND:Ureteral-iliac artery fistulae are rare, yet potentially life-threatening, causes of hematuria. Treatment has traditionally been surgical, but advances in endovascular technology have led to a few recent reports of therapy with covered stents. We report two cases of patients diagnosed with ureteral-iliac artery fistulae who were treated with Wallgraft endoprostheses, a new, commercially available covered stent. CASES: We report two patients with gynecologic malignancies who presented with massive hematuria and hypotension and were subsequently proven to have ureteral-iliac arterial fistulae. Both patients had prior pelvic surgery, radiation, and chronic indwelling ureteral stents. Once the diagnosis was established, both patients were managed with endovascular covered stent placement. The patients' conditions stabilized, hematuria ceased, and both were discharged from the hospital without additional transfusion or surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Endovascular therapy with covered stents is a safe, effective, and readily available method for the treatment of ureteral-iliac artery fistulae.