Background: The enlarged cysts in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) frequently cause abdominal discomfort. Cyst sclerotherapy with minocycline hydrochloride was performed to relieve this symptom.
Methods: Ten symptomatic ADPKD cases were recruited. As a sclerosant, minocycline hydrochloride solution (10 mg/dl) was used. This solution was instilled into the cysts under ultrasonographic control. Renal volume was calculated before therapy and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Renal function and blood pressure were regularly monitored. The effect of sclerotherapy on symptoms was also assessed at 6-month intervals.
Results: At 6 months, renal volume was statistically lower than the presclerotherapy, and was associated with improvement in chronic symptoms. However, such ameliorating effects were blunted at 12 months. Renal volume reduction at 6 and 12 months showed a significant positive correlation with the dose of minocycline injected. No significant influence in renal function and blood pressure was observed.
Conclusions: These results suggest that cyst sclerotherapy with minocycline hydrochloride is a valid treatment regime for the relief of chronic symptoms in ADPKD cases, although repeated application of this approach may be required to obtain a more long-term effect.