We evaluated the efficacy of
ethanolamine oleate (EO) as a
sclerosing agent for a symptomatic hepatic or renal
cyst. Seven patients with symptomatic hepatic (n = 3) or renal
cysts (n = 4) were treated by
sclerotherapy with EO. The
cyst size in the greater diameter ranged from 6 to 13 cm. The
cyst was punctured under ultrasound guidance, and after all of the
cyst's content was aspirated, an iodized
contrast agent was injected to check the absence of communication between the
cyst and biliary tree, urinary tract, or vessels. Then, the
solution of
ethanolamine oleate-
iopamidol mixture (EOI) of 10% of the volume of the
cyst's content was injected via
catheter. After 30 min, the injected EOI was aspirated completely before
catheter removal. A follow-up computed tomography scan was performed at 1 and 3 months
after treatment. The volume of the
cyst and its reduction rate was calculated. In addition, symptoms and complications were assessed. The volume of the
cyst ranged from 64 to 636 ml (mean: 328 ml) before treatment. Three months
after treatment, it ranged from 2 to 50 ml (mean: 15ml) and the reduction rate of the
cyst's volume was more than 90% on average. Symptoms caused by the
cyst disappeared in all cases and no major complication was encountered. Although two patients had a low-grade
fever after
sclerotherapy, it was easily controlled. It is suggested that the
sclerotherapy with EO might be a safe, effective, well-tolerated treatment for symptomatic hepatic or renal
cysts.