title: Foam sclerotherapy for a symptomatic hepatic cyst: a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated our initial experience of performing sclerotherapy for symptomatic hepatic cysts using polidocanol foam instead of a liquid sclerosant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three consecutively registered patients with symptomatic hepatic cysts (one with polycystic liver disease) underwent polidocanol foam sclerotherapy. A pigtail catheter was inserted into the targeted cyst following percutaneous cyst puncture under ultrasound guidance, and the cyst fluid was aspirated. To confirm the absence of communications between the cyst and surrounding hepatic vessels, 3 % polidocanol foam sclerosant was injected at a 1:4 ratio of polidocanol to air following digital subtraction cystography with carbon dioxide. C-arm computed tomography (CT) guidance also was used to monitor foam filling of the targeted cyst. The maximum dose of sclerosant injected per treatment session did not exceed 10 ml. The catheter was kept unclamped overnight for open drainage, and additional sclerotherapy sessions were performed on subsequent days, if needed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Efficient sclerotherapy was achieved with an average of two sessions. The initial mean cyst volume was 1,052 ml, and gradual resolution was observed without recurrence. The mean reduction rate was 97.9 % (97.7-98.3 %), and all cyst-associated symptoms disappeared. The median follow-up period was 17 (range 6-21) months. Although one patient experienced moderate-grade fever and another moderate pain at the puncture site, no major complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic hepatic cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, 259-1193, Japan, qq4d52gf9@sirius.ocn.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Chihiro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Itou
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koizumi
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Myojin
authors.forename: Tatehiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kagawa
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mine
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003560:Cysts / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional; D008297:Male; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011677:Punctures; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols