Single-session alcohol sclerotherapy in symptomatic benign hepatic cysts performed with a time of exposure to alcohol of 10 min: initial results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year results of single-session sclerotherapy of symptomatic benign non-parasitic liver cysts performed with maximum 10 min time of ethanol exposure. During the period 1995–1999, 15 symptomatic liver cysts in nine patients — eight women and one man — were treated with 10 min time of exposure to ethanol. Ultrasound-guided puncture combined with fluoroscopy was used for catheter placement. Alcohol sclerotherapy was performed with a maximum volume of ethanol 96% of 10% of the cyst volume, never exceeding 100 ml. At follow-up the patients were examined with liver function tests, ultrasound or CT examination, clinical examination, and interview by a gastrointestinal surgeon. Ten cysts in seven patients (six women and one man; age range 44–61 years, median age 58 years), who had a follow-up of at least 1 year, were included. The original cyst volumes were 30–4110 ml (median 392 ml). After a follow-up period of 12–47 months (median 23 months), cyst volumes were 0–523 ml (median 21.5 ml) with a reduction of the median cyst volume by 95% (p<0,005). All patients experienced relief of their clinical symptoms. Except for pain, no complications were observed. Sclerotherapy using only one session and maximum 10 min time of exposure to ethanol represents an effective treatment of symptomatic liver cysts.