Objective:

To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of sclerotherapy for simple renal cysts using lauromacrogol and anhydrous ethanol injections under the guidance of ultrasound.

Methods:

A total of 72 patients with simple renal cysts punctured and treated with sclerotherapy using lauromacrogol injection (

n

=39) and anhydrous ethanol injection (

n

=33) under the guidance o

f ultrasound were retrospectively analyzed. The therapeutic effects and adverse reactions after sixth months were recorded and compared between the two groups.

Results:

Anatomical success was documented in 100% (39/39) cysts in lauromacrogol group and 97.0% (32/33) cysts in anhydrous ethanol group. During the procedure of sclerotherapy

5 patients had mild abdominal pain with the incidence of adverse reactions of 12.8% (5/39) in lauromacrogol group

which was significantly lower than that of 45.5% (15/33) in anhydrous ethanol group including 10 patients with transient irritant pain and 5 patients with adverse reactions such as persistent abdominal pain or drunk-like symptoms (

P

0.05). After six-month follow-up

the cure rate of lauromacrogol group was 82.1% (32/39)

similar with that of 81.8% (27/33) in anhydrous ethanol group; and the overall response rate was 100% and 97.0% in lauromacrogol and anhydrous ethanol groups

respectively (

P

0.05). The cure rate of renal cyst larger than 8 cm in diameter was 56.0% (14/25)

significantly lower than that of renal cyst no more than 8 cm (

P

0.05).

Conclusion:

Sclerotherapy with lauromacrogol injection for renal cysts shows similar perfect outcomes to anhydrous ethanol injection. Lauromacrogol injection is superior to anhydrous ethanol

because it is a retainable agent in the cyst

easily operated

and has less adverse reactions and better patient tolerance. The therapeutic effect of sclerotherapy for renal cysts is greatly influenced by the size of renal cysts.