[Long-term effect of transcatheter arterial embolization therapy for renal angiomyolipoma]

We report a case of a 21-year-old man with a right renal angiomyolipoma who has been observed for 20 months after successful treatment with selective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). In May 1993, he was transferred to our hospital for the treatment of an abdominal mass. Examination revealed a solid and fat-containing right renal tumor on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hypervascular staining with multiple peripheral microaneurysms on renal angiogram, indicating an angiomyolipoma (AML). He did not have any signs of tuberous sclerosis. Because he complained of abdominal pain and the tumor was 9 cm in diameter, TAE of the tumor using polyvinyl alcohol foam was performed to prevent life-threatening hemorrhage. Renal angiogram after TAE demonstrated a complete shut-down of blood supply to the tumor and CT scan, 6 and 20 months after TAE, demonstrated a decrease in size to 4.5 cm in diameter, showing a favorable long-term effect of treatment. He has been symptom-free for 20 months. TAE appears to be a safe and effective treatment for AML, preventing tumor growth and thus possibly hemorrhage or rupture of the tumor over the long -term.