Treatment of symptomatic congenital hepatic cysts with single-session percutaneous drainage and ethanol sclerosis: technique and outcome

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous aspiration and ethanol sclerotherapy as the sole treatment for symptomatic, nonneoplastic, congenital hepatic cysts.

Patients and methods: In a prospective study, 59 symptomatic, congenital hepatic cysts in 25 patients were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration and ethanol sclerotherapy. Eleven patients had a solitary cyst, and 14 patients had polycystic liver disease. Mean follow-up was 4 years.

Results: Fifty-seven (97%) of 59 sclerotherapy procedures were technically successful, and there were no recurrences. Eight cysts in six patients disappeared totally. The mean diameter of the remaining 49 cysts decreased from 9 cm to 3 cm. At the last follow-up visit, 14 patients were asymptomatic, four had milder epigastric pain than before the treatment, and seven with polycystic liver disease had recurrent symptoms due to growth of nontreated cysts. No major complications occurred.

Conclusion: Percutaneous aspiration with ethanol sclerotherapy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment method for symptomatic congenital cysts. It is the initial treatment of choice for all patients with symptomatic congenital hepatic cysts.