What Is a Hepatic Cyst?

Basic Information

Causes of liver cysts

1. Most are caused by congenital causes, caused by abnormal development of the bile ducts during the embryonic period.
2. A small proportion of liver cysts are caused by trauma and inflammation.

Clinical manifestations of liver cysts

1. Those with smaller cysts are generally asymptomatic.
2. After the cyst enlarges, hepatomegaly, right upper abdominal discomfort, bloating, dull abdominal pain, and abdominal mass may occur.
3. Fever and pain may occur in patients with concurrent infection.
4. Acute abdominal pain such as cyst bleeding or torsion may occur.

Liver cyst examination

1. Ultrasound is the preferred method of examination. Ultrasound examination of the cyst showed a round or oval non-echoic area, the cyst wall was thin, the edges were smooth, and the boundary with the surrounding tissue was clear, and the echo was enhanced thereafter.
2. CT examination showed that the cyst was round, the edges were clear, the density was uniform, and the CT value was close to the water density.
3. Nuclide scans can show space-occupying lesions with neat edges.
4. X-ray examination shows that the diaphragm is elevated when the cyst is large and the stomach is displaced.
5. Laparoscopy is suitable for incurable diseases. Observe the lesions under direct vision, and perform cytology and puncture aspiration. However, laparoscopy is traumatic and should be used with caution.
6. Other necessary renal secretion angiography and renal arteriography.

Liver cyst diagnosis

Clear diagnosis based on clinical manifestations and results of ultrasound, CT, and X-ray examinations.

Differential diagnosis of liver cyst

This disease should be distinguished from diseases such as hepatic hydatid disease, hepatocystic carcinoma, and common bile duct cyst.

Liver cyst treatment

1. The cyst is small and asymptomatic, and generally does not require treatment. Regular follow-up is sufficient.
2. Large cysts with obvious compression symptoms are mainly treated with cyst windowing.
3. For patients with concurrent infection, intracapsular hemorrhage, and bile in the cystic fluid, catheter drainage can be performed after opening the window.
4. If the disease is limited to one lobe of the liver, hepatic lobe resection can be considered.
5. Extensive polycystic liver can be used for liver transplantation.
6. Those who are old and infirm or with impaired vital organs are not suitable for surgery.

Prognosis of liver cyst

Hepatic cysts are benign liver diseases. The prognosis of patients is generally good, but those with severe complications have a poor prognosis.

Liver cyst care

1. Psychological nursing, introduce patients to the relevant knowledge of the disease, so that patients actively cooperate with the treatment.
2. Preoperative and postoperative care of patients treated by surgery.