Packing Technique with or without Remodeling for Endovascular Coil Embolization of Renal Artery Aneurysms: Safety, Efficacy and Mid-Term Outcomes

The endovascular treatment of renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) has lower morbidity and shorter stay lengths compared to surgical repair. Here, we describe coil packing with or without remodeling and assess outcomes and complications. We retrospectively identified the 19 consecutive preventive endovascular RAA coil embolizations done in 18 patients at our center in 2010–2020. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, technical success rate, complications, and recurrences were recorded. Mean patient age was 63 ± 13 years. The RAA was >1.5 cm in 11 cases, and in four cases, the aneurysm-to-parent artery size ratio was >2. Simple coiling was performed for 11 (57.9%) aneurysms, stent-assisted coiling for seven (36.8%) aneurysms, and balloon-assisted coiling for one (5.3%) aneurysm. Technical success rate was 100%. Complete definitive RAA exclusion was achieved with a single procedure for 17 (89.5%) aneurysms, whereas two (10.5%) aneurysms required a repeat procedure. Four minor complications occurred but resolved with no long-term consequences. No major complications occurred during the mean follow-up of 41.1 ± 29.7 months. Coil embolization by sac packing or remodeling proved very safe and effective. Together with the known lower morbidity and shorter stay length compared to open surgery, these data indicate that this endovascular procedure should become the preventive treatment of choice for RAAs.