Long-term follow-up of large symptomatic hepatic cysts treated by percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy

Dissecting microenvironment in cystadenomas and hepatic cysts based on single nucleus RNA-sequencing data

Hepatic cystadenoma is a rare disease, accounting for about 5% of all cystic lesions, with a high tendency of malignant transformation. The preoperative diagnosis of cystadenoma is difficult, and some cystadenomas are easily misdiagnosed as hepatic cysts at first. Hepatic cyst is a relatively common liver disease, most of which are benign, but large hepatic cysts can lead to pressure on the bile duct, resulting in abnormal liver function. To better understand the difference between the microenvironment of cystadenomas and hepatic cysts, we performed single-nuclei RNA-sequencing on cystadenoma and hepatic cysts samples. In addition, we performed spatial transcriptome sequencing of hepatic cysts. Based on nucleus RNA-sequencing data, a total of seven major cell types were identified. Here we described the tumor microenvironment of cystadenomas and hepatic cysts, particularly the transcriptome signatures and regulators of immune cells and stromal cells. By inferring copy number variation, it was found that the malignant degree of hepatic stellate cells in cystadenoma was higher. Pseudotime trajectory analysis demonstrated dynamic transformation of hepatocytes in hepatic cysts and cystadenomas. Cystadenomas had higher immune infiltration than hepatic cysts, and T cells had a more complex regulatory mechanism in cystadenomas than hepatic cysts. Immunohistochemistry confirms a cystadenoma-specific T-cell immunoregulatory mechanism. These results provided a single-cell atlas of cystadenomas and hepatic cyst, revealed a more complex microenvironment in cystadenomas than in hepatic cysts, and provided new perspective for the molecular mechanisms of cystadenomas and hepatic cyst.

A safe and effective endoscopic treatment method for simple hepatic cysts (with video)

Background and study aims Symptomatic simple hepatic cysts require treatment, with several guidelines recommending laparoscopic deroofing. However, cysts located in the posterosuperior segments are considered poor candidates for this procedure. Gastrointestinal endoscopes are more flexible and able to reach less accessible areas than laparoscopes. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of endoscopic transgastric hepatic cyst deroofing (ETGHCD) for treatment of simple hepatic cysts. Patients and methods Seven patients with simple hepatic cysts were evaluated between June 2021 and October 2023. The success rate, procedure time, post-procedure length of hospital stays, complications, pathologic diagnosis, and efficacy were recorded. Results Eleven cysts in seven patients (5 men; mean age 65.5 (standard deviation [SD] 8.5) years) were successfully treated without any complications. The mean procedure time was 65.6 minutes (SD 17.2). Mean post-procedure hospitalization was 4.4 days (SD 1.0). The pathologic diagnosis of 11 cysts showed simple hepatic cysts. The size of the cysts was significantly decreased from 337.0 cm 3 (SD 528.8) to 5.2 cm 3 (SD 6.3) 1 month after ETGHCD. During the median 12.7-month follow-up in seven patients, the cysts showed a 99.6% reduction with no recurrence. Conclusions ETGHCD provided a feasible, safe, effective, and minimal invasive alternative approach for the treatment of simple hepatic cysts.

Successful minimally invasive simple hepatic cyst ablation via ethanol sclerotherapy in a cat

Case summary

A 12-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was evaluated at the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center (MSU-VMC) for an abdominal cyst that was initially noted on ultrasound 1 year prior by the referring veterinarian. The cystic mass was causing clinical signs, including vomiting, diarrhea, hyporexia and abdominal pain. Cyst drainage had originally been performed every few months, but by referral, the required frequency of drainage had increased to every 2 weeks for a total of eight drainage events; therefore, a more definitive curative option was sought. CT evaluation revealed a large simple hepatic cyst - largest diameter 7.2 cm - likely associated with the right medial liver lobe. Minimally invasive ethanol sclerotherapy was performed. A locking-loop catheter was placed percutaneously and transhepatically into the cyst using ultrasound guidance. The cyst was drained, and contrast injected under fluoroscopic guidance to ensure no communication between the cyst and liver. Sclerotherapy was performed using a volume of 99.5% ethanol calculated from the volume of cyst fluid removed. The patient was discharged on the same day and had complete resolution of clinical signs. At a 6-month follow-up, the cyst had decreased in volume by an estimated 95%. The patient remains asymptomatic more than 1 year postoperatively.

Relevance and novel information

To our knowledge, this is the first report of a feline hepatic cyst treated via percutaneous transhepatic ethanol ablation. Minimally invasive simple hepatic cyst ablation is a viable treatment option in cats that could avoid the need for a more invasive surgical intervention.

Laparoscopic Excision of Solitary Dysontogenetic Liver Cysts in Young Children: Technical Aspects and Outcome

Background: Solitary dysontogenetic liver cysts are rare in young children. However, large cysts can cause symptoms and require therapy. Cyst excision is the therapeutic method least associated with cyst recurrence. Only limited data are available on cyst excision performed laparoscopically in this age group. We present our experience using this surgical approach. Methods: Since 2005, 7 children including 5 newborns and infants with solitary dysontogenetic liver cysts have undergone minimally invasive excision of the cyst at our institution. Patient data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Median age of the patients at surgery was 8 months (3 days to 6 years); 5 of them were younger than 1 year. The cysts had varying locations in the segments IV-VIII, and median size was 5.4 cm (3.8-7.9). Complete excision was realized in all cases. Median duration of surgery was 120 minutes (60-171). All procedures could be completed laparoscopically. One intraoperative complication occurred (injury of a bile duct that could be sutured laparoscopically). Median follow-up was 29 months (14-173). Cyst recurrence was not observed in any of the cases. Conclusion: Laparoscopic excision of solitary dysontogenetic liver cysts is an effective treatment in young children. Resection is not limited to cysts in anterior and lateral liver segments.

Long-term safety and efficacy of ethanol retention therapy via percutaneous approach and/or EUS guidance for symptomatic large hepatic cysts (with video)

Background and Objectives

Ethanol retention therapy (ERT) under EUS guidance or a percutaneous approach is a safe treatment for large symptomatic hepatic cysts. However, reports on the long-term outcomes after ERT are very rare. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of ERT in symptomatic large hepatic cysts.

Materials and Methods

A total of 47 consecutive patients with large symptomatic hepatic cysts treated at the Asan Medical Center from April 2009 to October 2017 were analyzed. Thirty patients with right hepatic cysts were treated with ERT through a percutaneous approach, and 14 patients with left hepatic cysts were treated with ERT under EUS guidance. Three patients were treated with ERT using both methods.

Results

Of the 47 patients, 43 (91%) showed complete regression and four (9%) showed partial regression on abdominal computed tomography. Recurrence of the cysts was not observed during the follow-up surveillance of a median of 66 months.

Conclusions

Percutaneous catheter drainage-guided ERT and EUS-guided ERT, based on their favorable long-term outcomes, may be considered as first-line treatments in patients with large symptomatic hepatic cysts.

Ultrasound-guided microfoam sclerotherapy with polidocanol for symptomatic giant hepatic cyst: Initial experience

AIM

In cases of symptomatic giant hepatic cysts, appropriate treatment is required to relieve symptoms. Ethanol, minocycline hydrochloride, and ethanolamine oleate have been conventionally used for ultrasound (US)-guided sclerotherapy. However, liquid sclerosing agents could mix with the residual fluid in the cyst and reduce their sclerotic effects. We carried out US-guided microfoam sclerotherapy using polidocanol for three patients and evaluated its efficacy and safety.

METHODS

Between May 2016 and March 2017, three female patients with symptomatic giant hepatic cysts were referred to our hospital. All of them were prospectively included in this study.

RESULTS

The maximum diameters of the hepatic cysts in the three patients were 92 × 89 × 86 mm, 155 × 119 × 140 mm, and 223 × 195 × 123 mm, respectively. Polidocanol microfoam was successfully administered through an 8.5-Fr pigtail catheter for all patients. One, two, and three microfoam sclerotherapy sessions were undertaken according to the initial cyst volume for cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean reduction rates of the cyst volume were 90.1% (85.5-98.9%) at 3 months, 96.3% (91.9-99.9%) at 6 months, and 99.5% (99.1-99.9%) at 9 months after treatment. No significant treatment-induced adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided microfoam sclerotherapy using polidocanol could be an effective and safe method for the treatment of symptomatic giant liver cysts.

Single-session alcohol sclerotherapy of symptomatic liver cysts using 10-20 min of ethanol exposure: no recurrence at 2-16 years of follow-up

PURPOSE

To assess long-term results after single-session alcohol sclerotherapy of symptomatic benign liver cysts performed with maximum 20 min of exposure to alcohol.

METHODS

We included 47 patients aged 32-88 years (42 women, 5 men) with 51 benign non-parasitic liver cysts that were exposed to ethanol for 7-20 min in a single sclerotherapy session and were followed for at least 24 months. Each cyst was emptied before injecting ethanol (10% of cyst volume, but maximum 100 mL) into it. The patient rotated from side to side to facilitate contact between ethanol and the whole cyst wall. Pre-treatment cyst volume was defined as the volume of aspirated cyst fluid after complete emptying of the cyst. Follow-up cyst volume was estimated based on computed tomography images.

RESULTS

Cyst volumes were 30-4900 (median 520) mL at pre-treatment and 0-230 (median 1) mL at 24-193 (median 56) months follow-up, a reduction of 83-100% (median 99.7%). No cyst required repeated treatment during the follow-up. Median volume reduction was 99.7% at median 49 months of follow-up for 35 cysts exposed to ethanol for 7-10 min vs. 99.6% at median 75 months of follow-up for 16 cysts exposed for 20 min (p = 0.83, Mann-Whitney test). Ethanol intoxication occurred in one patient. There were no other complications except for pain.

CONCLUSION

Long-term results of single-session alcohol sclerotherapy performed with maximum 20 min of exposure to ethanol were satisfactory with no sign of recurrence of cyst fluid.