Sclerotherapy of Symptomatic Nonparasitic Splenic Cysts: Excellent Long-Term Treatment Response'

Background Splenic cysts are rare and occur in 0.5 to 2% of the population. They are usually asymptomatic and do not require therapy. In case of symptomatic nonparasitic splenic cysts, potential therapy includes partial splenectomy or laparoscopic cyst de-roofing as well as ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy with 1% polidocanol or 10% sodium chloride (NaCl) as an interventional alternative. So far, single-session sclerotherapy of symptomatic nonparasitic cysts is recommended only if clear-transparent cyst fluid is aspirated. Materials and Methods We report a case series of 17 patients with symptomatic macroscopically turbid nonparasitic splenic cyst fluid who underwent ultrasound-guided fine needle sclerotherapy with either polidocanol ± 10% NaCl (n = 12) or 10% NaCl alone (n = 5) and a follow-up of a maximum of 12 years after first intervention. Clinical, sonographic, and laboratory chemistry data were recorded at baseline and during the follow-up. Results The mean follow-up time was 43.65 ± 40.18 months. At the end of the follow-up, a 79% reduction of cyst size was achieved. The maximum size reduction in the polidocanol group was 76 ± 18% and 84 ± 21% in the sodium chloride group (p >0.05). At the end of follow-up, 15 out of the 17 patients did not have any further symptoms. Despite the cystic fluid being turbid, it was hardly possible to detect a microbiological superinfection. Conclusion Sclerotherapy of splenic cysts leads to a significant size regression in all patients, independent of the sclerotherapy agent used with fewer systemic toxic side effects of polidocanol treatment. It was shown that in a tertiary care center with significant experience, sclerotherapy of splenic cysts is also safe and successful and can lead to a drastic regression of cyst size and symptoms. This shows that interventional therapy is a good alternative to surgical procedures.