Complication Rates and Effectiveness of Renal Angiomyolipoma Embolisation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
摘要
To assess the rates of success, complications, and re-interventions of selective arterial embolisation of renal angiomyolipomas.
Materials and MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, including studies reporting outcomes of selective arterial embolisation for renal angiomyolipomas. Pooled estimates were calculated for technical success, radiological success, clinical success, tumour shrinkage, re-embolisation rates, surgical re-intervention, and complication rates. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Exploratory regression modelling was performed to assess factors associated with re-intervention.
ResultsThirteen studies comprising 478 patients and 542 AMLs were included. Technical success—successful delivery and occlusion of the embolic agent—was achieved in 86.2% of cases (95% CI 80–89.1%; I2 = 36.1%). Radiological success, based on CT-assessed tumour shrinkage, was observed in 94% of cases (95% CI 91.2–97.3%; I2 = 15.6%). Subgroup analysis revealed ethanol-alone embolisation achieved the highest shrinkage (95.8%) and the lowest re-intervention rate (3.4%). Pooled re-intervention (re-embolisation or surgery) was required in 19% of cases (95% CI 10–34%; I2 = 85.9%). Minor complications occurred in 46% of procedures, predominantly post-embolisation syndrome (PES, 43%; 95% CI 35–53%; I2 = 88.8%). Major complications, such as retroperitoneal bleeding, significant haematuria, abscesses, or prolonged hospital admission, were rare (pooled rate: 5.7%; 95% CI 3.9–8.2%), and the pooled rate for surgical re-intervention was 4% (95% CI 2–7%) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 9.6%; p = 0.333).
Conclusion and ContributionEmbolisation is a safe primary treatment option for renal angiomyolipomas with high technical and radiologic success, low major complications, and rates of surgical intervention. Embolic agent choice significantly impacted outcomes in this cohort.
Graphical Abstract