Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous ethanol ablation (PEA) for primary non-parasitic splenic cysts.
Materials and methods: Between February 2006 and February 2015, 15 patients (4 men and 11 women; mean age, 33 ± 15.3 years; age range, 17-65 years) with primary non-parasitic splenic cysts were treated with US-guided PEA. 99.5% absolute ethanol in an amount of approximately 50%-100% of the aspirated volume was injected into each cyst and no more than 240 mL. Standard laboratory tests (hemogram, coagulation, serum, and biochemical tumor marker levels) were performed before and after PEA.
Results: The median follow-up time was 18.7 months (range 2.8-59.2 months). During follow-up, seven cysts after treatment had disappeared completely, while the other eight cysts had decreased significantly in size. The 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month volume reduction rates were 49.7%, 87.6%, 94.3%, and 96.7%. Serum tumor marker CA19-9 levels significantly decreased. Mild adverse reactions included moderate pain in four (26.7%), unbearable pain in one (6.67%), fever in two (13.3%) and slight intracystic bleeding in one (6.67%). There were no serious complications.
Conclusion: US-guided PEA appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive technique for management of primary non-parasitic splenic cysts.
Keywords: Percutaneous ethanol ablation; Sclerotherapy; Splenic cysts; Ultrasound.