✦ LIVER CYSTS · PERCUTANEOUS

Percutaneous Aspiration with Sclerotherapy

Q: Is percutaneous sclerotherapy as effective as laparoscopic deroofing?

Laparoscopic deroofing has a higher success rate (90%+) than percutaneous sclerotherapy (70–80%), but sclerotherapy is a useful non-surgical alternative for suitable simple cysts.

Q: Can percutaneous sclerotherapy be used for cystadenomas?

No — percutaneous aspiration alone is contraindicated for cystadenomas, which carry malignant potential and require complete surgical excision. Pre-procedure tumour markers confirm simple cyst before proceeding.

Q: Is the procedure painful?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. Mild discomfort may be felt during alcohol instillation. Oral analgesia is prescribed for 24–48 hours post-procedure.

Image-guided aspiration and alcohol sclerotherapy of simple liver cysts — non-surgical treatment for symptomatic hepatic cysts.

30–60 Min TREATMENT DURATION

Day Care CARE SETTING

Image-Guided APPROACH

1–2 Days RECOVERY TIMELINE

What is Percutaneous Aspiration with Sclerotherapy?

Percutaneous aspiration with sclerotherapy is a non-surgical treatment for simple symptomatic liver cysts. The cyst is aspirated under CT or ultrasound guidance and then filled with absolute alcohol, which destroys the secreting epithelium and causes the cyst to shrink permanently. Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi uses percutaneous aspiration with sclerotherapy for simple unilocular liver cysts in patients who are not suitable for laparoscopic deroofing or who prefer a non-surgical approach. Success rates are 70–80% for simple cysts.

Suitable for patients with symptomatic simple unilocular liver cysts where laparoscopic deroofing is not preferred or not feasible, confirmed as benign on pre-procedure tumour marker assessment.

How the Procedure Works

Pre-procedure Assessment

Tumour markers (CA 19-9, CEA) checked to exclude cystadenoma. CT or ultrasound confirms simple unilocular cyst suitable for percutaneous approach.

Image-Guided Access

Under CT or ultrasound guidance, fine needle advanced into the cyst. Complete aspiration of cyst fluid performed. Fluid sent for analysis.

Sclerosant Instillation

Absolute alcohol (95%) instilled into the cyst cavity — typically 25–50% of cyst volume — and left for 20 minutes to destroy the secreting epithelium.

Alcohol Aspiration

Alcohol completely aspirated. Catheter removed. Patient observed for 1–2 hours post-procedure.

Follow-up

Ultrasound at 6 weeks confirms cyst reduction. CT at 3 months assesses long-term response. Repeat procedure if partial response.

Outcomes

30–60 MinTREATMENT DURATION

Day CareCARE SETTING

Image-GuidedAPPROACH

1–2 DaysRECOVERY TIMELINE

Who Needs This Treatment?

→No surgical incisions — entirely image-guided percutaneous procedure
→Day procedure under local anaesthesia — no general anaesthesia required
→70–80% success rate for simple unilocular liver cysts
→Repeatable if partial response at first treatment session

Percutaneous aspiration with sclerotherapy offers patients with simple liver cysts a non-surgical route to symptom relief — an outpatient procedure with good success rates in carefully selected cases.

— Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi, Senior Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is percutaneous sclerotherapy as effective as laparoscopic deroofing?+

Can percutaneous sclerotherapy be used for cystadenomas?+

Is the procedure painful?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

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