Single-session alcohol sclerotherapy in benign symptomatic hepatic cysts.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of single-session alcohol sclerotherapy in benign symptomatic liver cysts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten cysts (volume 200-4,800 ml) in 10 patients were treated by percutaneous catheterization and injection of 96% ethanol at a dose of 10% of the cyst volume but never more than 100 ml. The treatment was applied for a maximum of 20 min, after which the alcohol and catheter were removed. RESULTS: A satisfactory reduction in cyst volume was achieved in all patients. In 8 patients there was a re-accumulation of fluid during the first period after therapy, followed by a significant reduction in volume on later follow-up examinations. Except for pain, there were no complications. CONCLUSION: Sclerotherapy as a single-session procedure resulted in a significant reduction in cyst volume in all 10 patients. The postprocedural re-accumulation of fluid seen in 8 patients proved to be temporary. It was not necessary to repeat the sclerotherapy procedure in any patient.