Alcohol sclerotherapy of hepatic cysts: its effect in relation to ethanol concentration

While ultrasonically guided percutaneous aspiration and ethanol injection t herapy has proved useful for non-neoplastic giant hepatic cysts that cause symptoms, the optimum quantity of ethanol injected into hepatic cysts has n ot been established. In eight patients with non-neoplastic giant hepatic cy sts who were treated by ethanol injection, ethanol concentration in cystic fluid after treatment was estimated. Ethanol concentrations ranged from 5.9 to 47.6%. Hepatic cyst regressed almost completely in five cases; in all o f which, the estimated ethanol concentrations were more than 40%. Our resul ts suggest that it is desirable to drain cystic fluid as much as possible a nd to inject ethanol as little as possible, so that the estimated ethanol c oncentration in the cyst exceeds 40% for maximal effect and minimal side ef fects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.