Comparative Analysis of Alcohol Sclerotherapy Versus Catheter Drainage in the Treatment of Non-Parasitic Benign Liver Cysts

Abstract

Non-parasitic benign liver cysts are relatively common and cause symptoms due to their growth and compression on adjacent structures. Percutaneous management, as a less invasive, cheaper, safe and effective method, represents the treatment of choice for these lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of singlesession alcohol sclerotherapy versus prolonged catheter drainage in the treatment of simple liver cysts. In our prospective study, 42 consecutive patients with symptomatic solitary simple liver cyst were randomized into two groups: 21 patients treated with aspiration and single-session alcohol sclerotherapy (group A), and 21 patients with aspiration and prolonged negative pressure catheter drainage (group B). Cyst volume reduction rates, lenght of hospital stay, and occurrence of complications related to the procedure were analyzed and compared. Our results indicate that prolonged negative pressure catheter drainage and single-session alcohol sclerotherapy produced similar treatment results. Nevertheless, a longer time needed for the procedure, higher costs and greater patient's discomfort, as well as the risk of higher recurrence rate, might make prolonged catheter drainage a less desirable method of treatment of simple hepatic cysts.