Safety and Efficacy of Angio-embolization for Complex Renal Cell Carcinoma and Angiomyolipoma: Experience and Results in 20 Patients

Abstract

<i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the efficacy and safety of renal artery embolization in treatment of complex angiomyolipoma and renal cell carcinoma. <i>Patients and Methods: </i>Twenty patients were included in this study, 11 patients with primary renal cell carcinoma and 9 patients with AML. These patients were examined by US, CT or and MRI before RAE to evaluate size of the tumor, assess extension of renal cell carcinoma, exclude distant metastasis and assess the complications of angiomyolipoma. Renal artery embolization yield, complications and the impact of patient`s management were analyzed. <i>Results</i>: This study included 20 patients (12 males and 8 females). The age range was 17-75 (47.8±15.5) years. The type of renal masses were renal cell carcinoma in 11 patients and angiomyolipoma in 9 patients (5 bilateral and 4 unilateral). According to the modified Clavien system, 4 patients developed Grade I complication (3 patients developed flank pain (15%) treated with oral analgesics and 1 patient (5%) developed self-limiting perinephric hematoma which resolved spontaneously under antibiotic coverage. <i>Conclusion: </i>RAE is a safe, effective and well tolerated treatment of AML either if large sized which is liable to rupture or symptomatic to stop bleeding. Also, it allows preoperative de-vascularization of RCC to facilitate its surgical resection and as palliative treatment if RCC is un-resectable or metastatic.