Alcohol sclerotherapy of non-parasitic cysts of the liver.

Between 1980 and 1987, nine patients with non-parasitic cysts of the liver were treated with computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture and evacuation of the cyst contents followed by injection of absolute alcohol as a sclerosing agent. During the same period only one patient was treated with surgery. The patients included seven women and two men with a mean age of 62 years. Three patients had a single cyst and six patients had multiple cysts. The size of the largest cysts varied between 5 and 20 cm (mean 10 cm). Patients with multiple liver cysts had repeated punctures and sclerosing procedures (up to eight times); 50-3100 ml of cyst fluid (mean 650 ml) was drained per procedure. One patient had symptoms of moderate alcohol intoxication; otherwise no complications were noted. Follow-up was performed with computed tomography or ultrasonography for 8-54 months (median 18 months). The results have been considered successful in eight out of nine patients who had cyst regression and reduced symptoms. Two patients, however, required additional surgical treatment due to residual and multiple cysts. Computed tomography-guided alcohol sclerotherapy of non-parasitic liver cysts appears to be a safe and effective initial therapy.