Postnephrectomy fistula between the renal artery stump and inferior vena cava treated with Amplatzer vascular plug: Gray‐scale and Doppler sonographic findings

Abstract

Fistulous communication between the renal artery stump and the inferior vena cava is a rare complication of nephrectomy. We report a case of an adult male in whom a fistula was detected on investigation for persistent postoperative anemia. The fistula was initially identified with Doppler sonography and subsequently confirmed on a catheter angiogram. It was successfully occluded percutaneously with an Amplatzer vascular plug. The plug had a distinctive appearance on subsequent sonographic studies that was useful for follow-up evaluation.