Endoscopic treatment of fibroepithelial polyps of the renal pelvis and ureter

Abstract

Objectives: To report our experience on the endoscopic treatment of large fibroepithelial polyps of the renal pelvis and ureter. Fibroepithelial polyps of the upper urinary tract are rare benign tumors that have traditionally been treated by open exploration and resection.

Methods: Five patients underwent either percutaneous or ureteroscopic treatment of a renal pelvic or ureteral fibroepithelial polyp by electroresection or holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser resection.

Results: All 5 patients were without recurrence after endoscopic resection. The mean follow-up was 19.6 months (range 6 to 41). The average length of stay was 3 days (range 2 to 5) and 0.5 day (range 0 to 1) for those undergoing percutaneous and ureteroscopic treatment, respectively. No major complications resulted from either approach, and no ureteral strictures have developed. All patients treated remain recurrence free.

Conclusions: Endoscopic management of large fibroepithelial polyps of the renal pelvis and ureter is an acceptable treatment modality with minimal morbidity and durable treatment results. The percutaneous approach offers the advantage of identifying the base of the polyp under direct visualization, allowing safe destruction of the stalk and efficient removal of the entire polyp. To our knowledge, this is the first reported series of percutaneous, antegrade excision of fibroepithelial polyps.