The pelvic course of the ureter with its close proximity to the iliac artery, pelvic viscera, and other structures predispose to fistula formation. Surgical management of lower urinary tract fistulas is difficult and often ineffective. Nonvascular lower urinary tract fistulas can be managed by urinary diversion with percutaneous nephrostomy to allow for fistula healing. If this fails, ureteral embolization can be very effective; however, this should be preceded by careful evaluation and discussion with the patient as this intervention results in irreversible ureteral occlusion necessitating a diverting nephrostomy catheter indefinitely. A ureteroarterial fistula is a distinct entity compared with nonvascular fistulas with a different approach to management; it can be managed by exclusion of the fistula by endovascular placement of a stent graft across the arterial component of the fistula.
Keywords: Fistula; embolization; kidney; nephrostomy; ureter.