Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation of symptomatic simple breast cysts: A comparative study of ethanol and...

This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy along with the intra-procedural and post-procedural pain scores associated with ethanol or povidone‑iodine ablation in the management of symptomatic simple breast cysts (SSBC).

Seventy-five female patients with SSBC (≥2 cm) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients underwent ultrasound-guided ablation with either 99% ethanol (n = 41) or 10% povidone‑iodine (n = 34). Pain was assessed before, during, and one month after the procedure using the visual analog scale (VAS). Cyst dimensions were measured pre- and post-treatment.

Both groups showed significant reductions in cyst size and VAS scores at 1 month (p < 0.001). Ethanol ablation led to greater overall pain reduction but caused more intra-procedural pain (p < 0.001). Povidone‑iodine ablation was better tolerated and provided significant symptomatic relief.

Both ethanol and povidone‑iodine ablation are effective for managing SSBC. While ethanol provided greater post-procedural pain relief, povidone‑iodine offered superior intra-procedural tolerability, supporting its use in pain-sensitive patients.