[The value of angiography, sonography and computed tomography in follow-up studies after palliative renal tumour embolization (author's transl)].

Palliative transcatheter tumour embolization was performed in 40 patients having non-operable renal carcinoma using particulate, semiliquid and liquid embolizing substances. In addition the Gianturco-Andersen-Wallace (GAW) coil was applied in 7 patients showing remarkable vascular recanalization. Effects of the angiotherapeutic procedures were controlled by re-angiography in 33 cases. Sonography was performed in 15 cases and computed tomography in 24 patients before and after embolization. It was found that the re-angiography was necessary: a) as thhe first control to prove the extension of thrombotic obstruction and to assess the remaining collateral circulation; b) as an indication for re-embolization in 7 cases showing remarkable recanalization. Follow-up computed tomography and sonography helped to observe the long-term changes: shrinkage of the tumour and the embolized kidney, and recurrence of the tumor growth or local retroperitoneal and liver metastases. The analysis of our observations confirms the value of re-angiography for the short-term follow-up study. Sonography and computed tomography are reliable procedures for the further follow-up of patients.