Intraoperative Sclerotherapy with Absolute Ethanol of Bronchogenic Cysts Considered Difficult to Resect

Abstract

Introduction: Incomplete resection of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts can lead to recurrence. However, bronchogenic cysts often occur in the middle mediastinum and are surrounded by vital organs, making complete resection problematic.

Technical Report: We report our experience with intraoperative sclerotherapy using absolute ethanol in cases of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in which complete resection was considered problematic. The methods used were as follows: (1) use of a double-balloon catheter to prevent ethanol leakage and (2) intraoperative fluoroscopy to confirm no communication with adjacent organs and no ethanol leakage during sclerotherapy.

Conclusions: The method used was safe because it prevented absolute ethanol leakage from the cyst, which could damage surrounding tissue. Even in cases in which the tumor was incompletely resected, no recurrence occurred over a long period. Thus, the proposed method is considered useful.