Ultrasound-guided percutaneous sclerosis of congenital splenic cysts using ethyl alcohol 96% and minocycline hydrochloride 10%: A pediatric series.

INTRODUCTION: The management of congenital splenic cysts continues to evolve. In the past the standard treatment was splenectomy, but increased knowledge about the spleen's immunologic function has led most pediatric surgeons to preserve splenic tissue. A great number of studies using sclerosing substances have been published, but to date reports in children have been limited. Our study concerns a group of 15 children with congenital splenic cysts treated with percutaneous drainage and sclerosis with alcohol. We performed the procedure under general anesthesia and checked radiologically for possible leakage.

METHODS: In 2000 our group started managing pediatric patients with splenic cysts. During the first eight years surgery was the treatment of choice. From April 2008 to December 2014, a prospective study was conducted on 15 consecutive patients treated with percutaneous sclerotherapy. The outcomes regarding cystic dimensional variations before and after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS: In 20% of patients complete disappearance of the cystic lesion was achieved. In 67% of the patients the maximum diameter of the cyst was reduced to below 50mm.

CONCLUSION: Our results should encourage the use of this treatment because it is a valid and safe option in childhood. The high success rate achieved with percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy of cystic lesions supports our results.