Thoracic paravertebral block for treatment of postembolization syndrome

Renal artery embolization (angio-infarction) of a large renal cell carcinoma, prior to excision, is an acceptable surgical option. It may reduce the tumour's size and vascularity. However, postembolization syndrome, as characterized by flank pain, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting, is a potential complication of such an approach. The flank pain of this syndrome may be resistant to conventional opioid therapy. Here we report the successful use of a unilateral paravertabral block for the control of the unilateral flank pain of postembolization syndrome secondary to renal artery embolization.