Liver Cyst Causes

Liver cyst, also known as hepatic cyst is a thin walled sac like structure, which may be empty or remain filled with fluid. These cysts can be as small as 2 mm and as large as 20 cm. However, they are usually found to be not larger than 2 cm. Liver cysts are usually benign, and do not affect liver functions. They are also not found to cause any major discomfort to the affected individuals. Occasionally, liver cysts can enlarge and become infected, and cause abdominal pain and discomfort in the upper right region of the stomach. Almost 5% of the population have been found to be affected by liver or hepatic cysts.

What Causes Cysts on Liver?

Some liver cysts are congenital, i.e. they are present at the birth, while a great majority are idiopathic or caused by unknown reasons. However, certain liver cysts can develop due to some diseases. A few of the important causes of liver cysts are:

• Liver cysts present at the birth can be due to the rare hereditary disease, like hepatic fibrosis, where irregular scar tissues develop in the liver. The disease can eventually impair the functions of the kidneys and liver.
• Polycystic liver disease is a congenital disease, associated with the development of liver cysts. As the name suggests, the disease is characterized by the development of a large number of cysts on the liver, and sometimes, in the kidneys as well. It can impair the functions of the kidneys leading to renal or kidney failure.
• Another congenital condition is choledochal cysts, where benign cysts develop in the bile ducts.
• Echinococcus granulosus is an infectious disease, caused by the parasite, Echinococcus granulosus. In this disease, the larvae of the parasite enclose themselves in cysts, which are called hydatid cysts.
• Liver cysts can also develop due to cystadenoma. In cystadenoma, individuals can develop cysts in any part of the body including the liver and kidneys. It is found to be more prevalent in middle-aged women.
• Apart from these, Caroli's disease which is an inherited disorder can also cause liver cysts. The condition is characterized by bile duct inflammation and cystic dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct and intrahepatic biliary tree.

Symptoms of Liver Cysts

Liver cysts are usually asymptomatic, i.e. they do not produce symptoms, as they are generally, benign and very small. Large cysts as well as cysts enlargement can however, cause some discomforts in the abdominal regions. A few of the important symptoms of liver cysts are:

• Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right part of the abdomen
• Some common digestive problems like nausea and diarrhea
• A feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen
• Liver enlargement
• Swelling and discomfort of the upper abdomen
• A sharp pain in the shoulder and right side of upper quadrant
• Infection and obstruction of the bile ducts

Treatment for Liver Cysts

The treatment for this condition depends on the accurate diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is of more importance due to the fact that, many times liver tumors and some other diseases can look like liver cysts. Liver cyst diagnosis is often carried out with the help of CT scan, ultrasound and biopsy. For benign and small cysts that do not cause any discomfort, and also do not grow or get infected, no treatment is required. However, if they cause discomforts, then medical intervention can become necessary. Generally, the cysts are removed surgically to ease the pain and discomfort caused by them. If they get infected, then antibiotics can also be required.

To sum up, treatment for liver cyst is determined by its underlying causes, as well as whether they produce any symptoms. Though liver cysts are usually benign, sometimes, they can lead to certain major complications like infection, bile duct obstruction, bleeding into the cyst, liver enlargement and jaundice. So, their presence on liver should not be neglected. They should be evaluated as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of some serious life-threatening conditions, that can be the underlying cause.