Renal cysts: can percutaneous ethanol injections be considered an alternative to surgery?

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a new sclerotization technique with pure ethanol in the treatment of symptomatic renal cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients having renal cysts with a meant diameter of 10 (range 5-15) cm were treated. Our technique includes: ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture with an 18-gauge needle, positioning of a 5-Fr catheter, complete cyst fluid aspiration, injection of pure alcohol equal to 15% of the initial cyst volume, and alcohol aspiration after 90 min. The procedure was repeated eight times within 5 days. The patients were followed up by ultrasound and/or CT scan for 1 year. RESULTS: All patients became symptom free. Follow-up showed a progressive reduction of the cyst diameter in all cases. Three cysts only (in 2 patients; cyst diameter