Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Renal Angiomyolipoma Using a Micro-balloon Catheter and a Mixture of Ethanol and Lipiodol

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for renal angiomyolipoma (AML) using a micro-balloon catheter and a mixture of ethanol and lipiodol.

Materials And Methods: Twelve consecutive patients with 15 AMLs, 9 females and 3 males, with a median age of 44 years (range, 11-81), underwent this procedure between 2011 and 2016. In all procedures, a micro-balloon catheter was advanced to the feeding artery of the AML and TAE was performed with a mixture of ethanol and lipiodol under balloon inflation. We reviewed medical records and images, and evaluated the technical success rate, clinical success rate, and complications. Technical success was defined as completion of TAE using the micro-balloon catheter and the mixture of ethanol and lipiodol. Clinical success was defined as reduction of tumor size on CT, which was performed before and after TAE.

Results: In 14 of 15 AMLs, the micro-balloon catheter could be advanced to the feeding artery, and TAE was performed successfully. Thus, the technical success rate was 93%. Among these 14 AMLs of 11 patients, 13 AMLs of 10 patients could be followed and tumor shrinkage was confirmed in all. Thus, the clinical success rate was 100%. Four patients had mild symptoms after TAE; the minor complication rate was 33% (4/12), and the major complication rate was 0%.

Conclusion: TAE for renal AML using the micro-balloon catheter and mixture of ethanol and lipiodol appears to be effective and safe.