Treatment of digital mucous cysts with intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulfate injection.

BACKGROUND: Digital mucous cysts (DMCs) are benign myxoid cysts typically involving the distal interphalangeal joint or over the proximal nail fold. There are various treatment modalities for DMCs, and intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulfate injection has been reported as an alternative treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulfate injection in treating DMCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed intralesional injection of sodium tetradecyl sulfate in 17 patients (6 men and 11 women) with 20 DMCs. At each session, 1% to 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate of 0.2 to 0.5 mL was injected into a lesion and repeated every 4 weeks if the cyst persisted. Changes in lesions and adverse reactions were recorded, and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated.

RESULTS: Of the 20 lesions treated with intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulfate injection, 80% responded. Recurrences were observed in 2 patients, and 2 patients did not respond well to the treatment. No patient reported any major adverse effects.

CONCLUSION: Intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulfate injection is a simple, safe, and effective modality for distal mucous cyst. Treatment was well tolerated with few side effects and favorable cure rate. Therefore, we believe that intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulfate injection should be considered an alternative treatment of DMCs.