[Percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy of symptomatic renal cysts: results after 4 years]

The main objective was to investigate the long-term clinical and radiological effectiveness/safety of ethanol sclerotherapy for treating simple kidney cysts.The secondary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a second alcohol treatment after 24 hours of drainage for large cysts.

A retrospective study was carried out from January 2005 to March 2012 on 24 patients with simple kidney cysts treated by percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy during ambulatory surgery. Therapeutic success was defined as symptom resolution and regression of cyst size by > 60%. Incomplete regression was defined as a decrease between 50 and 60% and a recurrence as a residual size > 50%. Drainage was left in place for 24 hours for patients with a cyst > 900 cm(3) and a second alcohol treatment was performed the next day. All patients were invited for ultrasound follow up as part of the study.

Treatment success was observed in 91.6% of patients. Two patients had incomplete regression. No recurrence was observed. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were found.

Sclerotherapy for simple kidney cysts is a safe and effective procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia and an outpatient setting in most cases. Systematic drainage for 24 hours followed by a second alcohol treatment may reduce the risk of recurrence for large cysts.