[Preservative surgery of the kidney for haemorrhagic angiomyolipoma: a report of two cases].

Renal angiomyolipomas are very rare benign tumours (3% of renal tumours) that may present as isolated tumours or tumours associated with other pathologies, particularly tuberous sclerosis (40%), neurofibro-matosis, or Sturge-Webers disease. Clinically, renal angiomyolipoma is asymptomatic until the tumour becomes larger than 4 cm, causing urinary symptoms such as pain, infection, and microhaematuria. Rarely, in cases of large hypervascularised lesions, the clinical picture at onset may consist in spontaneous haemorrhage due to vessel rupture. The therapy consists in non-operative treatments for small tumours (< 4 cm) and surgical treatment, probably preservative, for larger tumours. In complicated haemorrhagic cases, an angiographic approach or surgical treatments, possibly conservative, are possible, offering the opportunity for further elective treatment. On the basis of case reports starting with haemorrhage and treated in urgency and of a review of the literature, we conclude that it is possible and mandatory to perform emergency preservative treatments of the kidney with an angiographic or surgical approach, and to ensure haemostasis. Treatment of the disease can be postponed when clinical and environmental conditions are better. Furthermore, we stress the need, once the clinical urgency/emergency is over, to submit the patient to suitable examinations to detect possible associated pathologies (tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, Sturge-Webers disease) in other parts of the body.