Hepatic cysts: treatment with alcohol

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Interventional Radiology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Congenital hepatic cysts can cause symptoms requiring intervention.
• Traditional treatments for hepatic cysts may involve significant morbidity.
• Percutaneous aspiration and alcohol injection present a less invasive therapeutic option.

Observation:

• Six patients with symptomatic hepatic cysts underwent percutaneous aspiration followed by sterile alcohol (95% ethanol) injection.
• Five cysts were treated using sonographic guidance, and one under direct vision during cholecystectomy.
• An alcohol volume of 25% of the cyst's capacity was utilized, with larger cysts potentially needing repeat treatments.

Findings:

• Successful treatment was achieved in all six patients, with no cyst recurrence noted during 6-18 months of follow-up.
• Minor complications included transient pain, fever, and intracystic hemorrhage.
• No major complications were reported, suggesting a favorable safety profile.

Implications:

• Percutaneous aspiration and alcohol injection is a potentially curative and safe treatment for symptomatic congenital hepatic cysts.
• This technique may become the preferred method for managing these lesions, reducing the need for more invasive procedures.
• Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings and establish long-term efficacy.