Renal artery embolization post subtotal nephrectomy for xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: A case report

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN) is a rare, chronic disease characterized by the destruction of renal parenchyma and replacement with granulomatous tissue and is associated with long-term obstructive uropathy, chronic renal parenchymal infection, and nephrolithiasis. A 57-year-old patient with XGPN was unable to undergo total nephrectomy. Renal artery embolization (RAE) was performed post subtotal nephrectomy as adjunct therapy to prevent urine formation and decrease the risk of post-operative infection. Our case report demonstrates that RAE can be performed safely and effectively without evident complications and underscores the utility of cone-beam computed tomography in cases of altered post-surgical anatomy. To the author’s knowledge, this is the second case in the literature demonstrating perioperative management of XGPN with RAE.