Percutaneous sclerotherapy of a giant benign renal cyst with alcohol

We report a case of giant, benign renal cyst that was treated with percutaneous aspiration and sclerotherapy using 95% alcohol. A seven French catheter was inserted into the cyst under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance, and was then left in place to drain the cyst contents. Approximately 4 l of fluid was drained the first day. The following day, a gravity sinogram was obtained, which showed there were no connections between the cyst and the collecting system. The alcohol treatment involved repeated injections of decreasing amounts of alcohol, with volumes selected in accordance with follow-up sinograms. The patient's symptoms resolved and cyst drainage stopped after 3 successive days of therapy. Totally 600 ml alcohol has given. Follow-up ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) studies showed no recurrent disease; with only a small remnant of the cyst wall. We encountered no major complications during follow-up.