[Angiomyolipomas in the kidney. A review]

Renal angiomyolipomata are rare, benign hamartomata composed of various amounts of fat, smooth muscle and blood vessels. The tumours may have an extremely variable clinical presentation which may be difficult to distinguish from other renal disorders. By combining the use of ultrasound- and CT-scanning, it is possible to make a definite diagnosis thus obviating usually unnecessary nephrectomy. Only symptomatic tumours require treatment. The treatment is directed mainly towards preventing or stopping bleeding. In cases where intervention is considered to be indicated, embolization should be carried out if possible. Otherwise, the renal surgery should preserve as much of the kidney as possible. Nephrectomy is indicated only for uncontrollable life-threatening bleeding, tumours which involve the whole kidney or in the presence of simultaneous carcinoma.