CT-guided Percutaneous Large-needle Aspiration and Bleomycin Sclerotherapy for Bronchogenic Cyst: Report of Four Cases

PURPOSE: Fine needle aspiration alone has been used as a treatment for bronchogenic cysts, but is subject to a high rate of recurrence. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous large-needle aspiration and bleomycin sclerotherapy of bronchogenic cysts in four patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients with bronchogenic cysts at subcarinal (n = 1), paraspinal (n = 1), or intrapulmonary (n = 2) sites were treated at two medical centers with percutaneous transthoracic aspiration with a 17.5-gauge needle and sclerotherapy with use of bleomycin as the sclerosant agent. Clinical symptoms were seen in three of the four patients: recurrent cough in two and recurrent chest discomfort and palpitation in one. CT was used to guide the procedures. After sclerotherapy, the sizes of ablated cysts were followed by CT. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 10 months (range, 6-14 months), all three patients with symptoms had symptomatic relief and all four patients showed a nearly complete regression of bronchogenic cyst on follow-up CT. No recurrence was encountered. Minor complications included a small asymptomatic pneumothorax at the end of the procedure in one patient and a mild fever (38.0 degrees C-38.5 degrees C) on the first day after sclerotherapy in one patient, which resolved spontaneously without treatment. No major complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided percutaneous treatment of bronchogenic cysts with large-needle aspiration and bleomycin sclerotherapy was safe and effective in this limited series. Further investigation of this technique is warranted.