[Percutaneous drainage of benign nonparasitic liver cysts].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the treatment of symptomatic benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver by percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy with alcohol.

DESIGN

Descriptive, prospective.

SETTING

Ikazia Hospital, Rotterdam.

PATIENTS

All patients who presented with symptomatic benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver during the period 1988-1992 and in whom percutaneous drainage was not contraindicated. After drainage sclerotherapy with absolute alcohol was carried out, after which suction was applied until oozing stopped.

RESULTS

Four patients were treated, all women, 51, 53, 53 and 64 years old. In 3 patients the cyst did not recur during the follow-up period, which ranged from 8 to 60 months. The 4th patient needed surgical treatment after the percutaneous drainage failed twice. 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.