Transcatheter embolisation of renal angiomyolipoma

Angiomyolipomas (AML) are rare benign renal tumours which are associated with aneurysms that can cause haemorrhage. Embolisation of AML greater than 4 cm with a variety of embolic agents is now the first-line treatment in these cases. This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent AML embolisation at Beaumont Hospital from 2000 to 2006 to review the efficacy of embolisation in the treatment of AMLs. There were six patients in total (n = 6). One patient (16%) had a background of tuberous sclerosis. Half of the patients presented acutely with bleeding and abdominal pain (50%) while the other half were found incidentally. There were no mortalities overall and three patients (50%) developed post embolisation syndrome. Five patients (83%) had a good response to embolisation with no further growth or regression of the AML. Embolisation is a safe and effective method for treating patients with AML.