Alcohol sclerosis for polycystic liver disease and obstructive jaundice: use of a nasobiliary catheter

We report the use of a nasobiliary catheter in the management of a 55-yr-old female with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who developed obstructive jaundice from a hepatic cyst. The patient presented with a 2-wk history of fatigue, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Physical examination was remarkable for tender hepatomegaly. Computerized tomography revealed multiple hepatic cysts and dilated intrahepatic biliary radicles. Endoscopic stent placement failed to relieve the obstruction. Computerized tomography guided percutaneous aspiration of the obstructing hepatic cyst was successful with the aid of a nasobiliary cholangiogram allowing visualization of the biliary tree and identification of the obstructing hepatic cyst. However, the cyst rapidly accumulated fluid, and the obstruction recurred within 1 wk of simple aspiration. Relief of symptoms was maintained only after alcohol sclerosis of the obstructing hepatic cyst. Review of the literature shows that alcohol sclerotherapy is a safe and effective nonsurgical means of treating symptomatic hepatic cysts.