Cysts are fluid filled cavities in the body. Fluid is secreted by the lining of the cyst (epithelial layer) and the fluid accumulates within the cavity forming a cyst.
Cysts can form virtually within any body cavity and organ – liver, kidney, pancreas, abdomen, etc.
With an increasing use of ultrasound and CT scan to understand patient symptoms and disease conditions, the detection of unrelated lesions and conditions (incidentalomas) – has become frequent.
In the same context LIVER cysts are being detected on imaging with increasing frequency.
Symptoms
- Asymptomatic – no symptoms : Incidental discovery. Most patients with pancreas cysts are asymptomatic and these cysts are discovered incidentally on imaging.
- abdominal pain – vague and non specific abdominal pain may be present
- nausea / vommiting or simply symptoms that are interpreted as “acidity”
- jaundice – sometimes large cysts can cause jaundice by blockage of the bile ducts and pressure on them
Types of Liver Cyst
- Simple Liver Cyst – these are fluid collections and totally innocent. Some of these simple liver cysts may grow to large sizes to cause pain or may compress the surrounding structures such as the stomach and intestines. Large cysts will need surgical decompression and this can be safely done through key hole surgery.
- Hydatid cyst – these are infective cysts in the liver. Parasite infection causes the cyst to develop and grow within the liver. Surgery is curative.
- Polycystic Liver Disease – this is rare condition, which allows fluid filled sacs / cavities to grow within the liver. The condition is transmitted genetically and in some instances, there may be associated cystic disease of the kidney.
Diagnosis
- CT scan : mandatory for diagnosis
- MRCP / MRI pancreas: further helps in defining the cyst and predicting its nature
Treatment
- Treatment of the cyst depends on its nature and the symptoms it creates.
- Simple liver cysts generally don’t need treatment unless very large or symptomatic.
- Treatment involves removal of the wall of the cyst – derroofing which can be done through key hole surgery