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Bleomycin sclerosis of pelvic lymphoceles
R K Kerlan1, J M LaBerge, R L Gordon
1Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, 94143-0628, USA.
Purpose:
To describe the results of postoperative pelvic lymphocele treatment by means of percutaneous drainage and sclerosis with bleomycin.
Materials And Methods:
Four patients underwent treatment of pelvic lymphoceles by percutaneous tube drainage followed by instillation of bleomycin under fluoroscopic guidance at a concentration of 1 unit/mL. Bleomycin instillation was repeated at weekly intervals until the tube output was less than 10 mL per day. Three of four patients underwent unsuccessful sclerosis previously with alcohol, doxycycline, or povidone iodine.
Results:
Lymphocele drainage was reduced to less than 10 mL per 24 hours after bleomycin sclerosis in all patients. Three patients required two sessions, and the fourth patient required three sessions. No patient developed recurrent symptoms suggesting reaccumulation of lymph during an average follow-up period of 11 months (range, 6-18 months). No complications related to percutaneous lymphocele drainage or sclerosant therapy were encountered.
Conclusion:
Percutaneous intracavitary instillation of bleomycin may be considered as an alternative to surgery in patients who have undergone unsuccessful lymphocele sclerosis with other agents.