Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of ethanolamine oleate (EO) as a sclerosing agent, vs. absolute ethanol (AE), in the treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts.
Patients and methods: Between November 2009 and October 2012, 46 patients were prospectively randomised into two groups. All patients presented with a simple renal cyst underwent ultrasonographic aspiration and injection of a sclerosing agent. In group 1, 25 patients had the cyst injected with EO, and in group 2, 21 were treated with AE. One injection was used in cysts of <200 mL and two injections were used in larger cysts. Complete and partial success were defined as complete cyst ablation or a >50% reduction in cyst volume with symptomatic relief, respectively. Patients were followed up using semi-annual ultrasonography and computed tomography for 2 years.
Results: Sclerotherapy was technically successful in all patients. There was no significant difference in cyst volume between the groups. After ≈2 years of follow-up there was complete symptomatic relief in both groups, and the overall radiological success rate was 100% of both groups, at 79% complete and 21% partial in group 1, and 83% complete and 17% partial in group 2. The frequency of transient complications in the form of microscopic haematuria was 7% and 13%, and of low-grade fever in 4% and 10% in groups 1 and 2, respectively.
Conclusion: EO can replace AE as a sclerosing agent for symptomatic simple renal cysts, as it has comparable efficacy with higher safety and tolerance.
Keywords: AE, absolute ethanol; Absolute ethanol; Aspiration sclerotherapy; EO, ethanolamine oleate; Ethanolamine oleate; Simple renal cyst; US, ultrasonography.