SYMPTOMATIC HEPATIC CYSTS - TREATMENT WITH SINGLE-SHOT INJECTION OF MINOCYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of percutaneous minocycline hydrochlor ide sclerotherapy in symptomatic hepatic cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 1992 to June 1994, seven of eight consecutive adults wi th large symptomatic hepatic cysts (diameter, 55-130 mm) were treated with a single intracystic injection of minocycline hydrochloride in an ambulatory procedure, Five patients had a solitary cyst, and two had polycystic liver disease. The target cyst was punctured Under ultrasou nd guidance and local anesthesia with a 22-gauge Chiba needle. Half of the cyst content was aspirated before injection of 100-500 mg of mino cycline hydrochloride diluted in 5-25 mL of saline. The minocycline hy drochloride was left in the cyst at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 28 months (range, 24-42 months), all five p atients will solitary cysts were asymptomatic and four had documented complete cyst regression; the two patients with multiple hepatic cysts showed only transient clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Single-shot i njection of minocycline hydrochloride is an effective treatment for sy mptomatic solitary hepatic cysts but is less effective in polycystic l iver disease.