Comparison of single and multiple sessions of percutaneous sclerotherapy for simple renal cyst

Objective To compare the results of single and repeated percutaneous sclerotherapy in patients with simple renal cysts. Patients and methods Eighty-two patients with simple renal cysts underwent needle aspiration and sclerotherapy under ultrasonographic guidance. Forty-two patients (group 1) underwent one session of sclerotherapy with 99% ethanol immediately after aspiration and 40 patients (group 2) underwent sclerotherapy at least twice. The patients were followed up using ultrasonography at 3-month intervals. The complete disappearance or a reduction of more than half in the diameter of the renal cyst was considered a successful treatment. Results The mean diameter of the renal cysts was not significantly different in group I (6.12 cm) and 2 (6.75 cm). There was complete or partial regression in eight (19%) and 16 (38%) in group 1, and in 29 (73%) and nine (23%) in group 2, respectively. The overall success rate was significantly better in group 2 (95%) than in group 1. (57%; P<0.01). Conclusions These results suggest that: multiple sclerotherapy is better than a single injection of sclerosant for reducing the recurrence of simple renal cysts.