Diagn Interv Radiol. 2026 Mar 18. doi: 10.4274/dir.2026.263802. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined ethanol lavage and bleomycin sclerotherapy administered via a percutaneous pigtail catheter for the treatment of benign cervical cystic lesions.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 29 patients (mean age, 30 years; range, 4-60 years; male-to-female ratio, 16:13) who underwent bleomycin sclerotherapy following ethanol lavage via a pigtail catheter for benign cervical cystic lesions, including branchial cleft cysts, ranulas, thyroglossal duct cysts, lymphatic malformations, and epidermoid cysts, between March 2009 and September 2022. To explore potential predictors of treatment response, clinical diagnosis, baseline cyst size, and the total volume of injected sclerosant were evaluated. Statistical analyses included the paired t-test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS: All patients were followed up for a mean duration of 18.2 months (range, 3-72 months) after the final treatment session. Complete cyst resolution was achieved in 17 of the 29 patients (59%), 8 patients (27%) demonstrated a volume reduction greater than 75%, and 2 patients (7%) exhibited a reduction of less than 75%; recurrence occurred in 2 patients (7%) despite repeated sclerotherapy. There were no significant differences between responders and nonresponders with respect to clinical diagnosis, baseline cyst volume, or total sclerosant dose. Minor procedure-related complications occurred in three patients (10.34%); no major complications were observed.
CONCLUSION: Combined ethanol lavage and bleomycin sclerotherapy administered via a percutaneous pigtail catheter is a safe and feasible treatment option for benign cervical cystic lesions.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Combined ethanol and bleomycin sclerotherapy represents a safe, minimally invasive treatment option for benign cervical cystic lesions in routine clinical practice, with favorable outcomes and potential to reduce the need for surgical intervention.
PMID:41847722 | DOI:10.4274/dir.2026.263802
