Objective: To evaluate the treatment of symptomatic benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver by percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy with alcohol or surgery.
Design: Descriptive, prospective.
Setting: The study was conducted at the University Hospital of Catania (Italy), which serves as a general community hospital.
Summary background data: Solitary biliary cysts are among the most frequent cystic lesions of the liver and have a prevalence of 1 to 2 percent. They are almost always asymptomatic and do not require treatment. Ultrasonography shows a regular, round or oval, entirely liquid and trans-sonic image sufficient to make the diagnosis. Complications are exceptional.
Patients: Eight out of 40 patients who presented with symptomatic benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver during the period 1987-1994 and in whom percutaneous drainage was not contraindicated. INTERVENT: Drainage sclerotherapy with absolute alcohol was carried out, after which suction was applied until oozing stopped.
Results: Eight patients were treated, all women, 49-61 years old. In 7 patients, the cyst did not recur during the follow-up period which ranged from 8 to 60 months. Only one patient needed another percutaneous drainage. No complications of the drainage were encountered.
Conclusion: Percutaneous drainage followed by alcohol sclerotherapy and suction is the treatment of choice in patients with symptomatic benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver. Surgical treatment should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to repeated percutaneous drainage and cases in which the location of the cyst makes it technically difficult to use a percutaneous route.