The percutaneous transarterial total embolization of the kidney is a minimal invasive therapeutic procedure for radiological nephrectomy. The reported indications, technique, results and complications of percutaneous transarterial total renal embolization are reviewed. Aside from transient symptoms as part of the postembolization syndrome with a stated incidence of 47 % to 100 % of embolizations, other complications are relatively rare and occur in the range of 0 % to 20 % with a mortality of up to 3.3 %. Technical success is high and not related to the diagnosis. However, clinical success depends on the underlying disease. Embolization of non-resectable renal tumors may improve the survival rate.

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