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 andsclerotherapy 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 1 (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 < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that multiple sclerotherapy is better than a single injection of sclerosant for reducing the recurrence of simple renal cysts.ope