Arterial embolization in bleeding renal angiomyolipomas.

Objective: Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a rare benign tumour (2-3%) compri sing variable proportions of an adipose component, which is often the most abundant, a smooth muscle contingent and a vascular contingent. The objecti ve of this study is to demonstrate the value of embolization of bleeding an giomyolipomas. Material and Methods: 2 patients, aged 22 and 62 years, presented with peri renal haematoma secondary to bleeding angiomyolipoma and were treated by se lective arterial embolization. Results: In one case, partial nephrectomy was subsequently performed becaus e of the size of the angiomyolipoma (10 cm). In the other case, attempted p artial nephrectomy at 3 months failed due to the proximity of the renal hil um and nephrectomy was performed. Conclusion: Beyond a diameter of 4 cm, the risk of perirenal haemorrhage is proportional to the size of the tumour. When surgery is required, selectiv e arterial embolization is the first stage of treatment allowing partial ne phrectomy in the majority of cases.