Complications of renal tumor embolization.

In 121 renal tumor embolizations with four different embolic agents (Gelfoam, Ivalon, ethanol, coils) the mean complication rate was 9.9%, with a mortality of 3.3%. Because of the large embolized tumor mass and the severely impaired health of patients, the complication rate in palliative embolizations was about four times as high as in preoperative procedures. Complications most commonly encountered were renal failure and unintentional embolization of nontarget organs.