Percutaneous transcatheter embolization of symptomatic renal angiomyolipomas: a report of four cases.

Abstract

Successful percutaneous transcatheter embolization of renal angiomyolipoma is reported in four female patients. The angiomyolipomas measured more than 4 cm in diameter. Three patients had severe haemorrhage and one patient had a growing angiomyolipoma in a solitary kidney. This patient had percutaneous transcatheter embolization to prevent further deterioration of kidney function. Three patients had multiple renal angiomyolipomas as part of tuberous sclerosis. Two of them had selective transcatheter embolization of more than one angiomyolipoma. After embolization, one patient had partial loss of kidney function and one patient developed an abscess that could successfully be drained percutaneously under ultrasound guidance. The following conclusions can be drawn. All patients with tuberous sclerosis should be screened for renal angiomyolipomas. All symptomatic renal angiomyolipomas and all angiomyolipomas that measure more than 4 cm in diameter require treatment. Embolization should be considered as a primary therapeutic modality for multiple angiomyolipomas.