Liver Cysts

Liver cysts or hepatic cysts are round, thin sac-like structures found scattered in the tissues of liver. Sizes of liver cysts vary from 2 mm to more than 20 cm and most people have cysts of about 2 cm size. They are surrounded by liver tissues and are either empty or contain semi-fluid substances. Liver cysts are more common in senior citizens and among male populations. However, chances of developing symptomatic cysts are higher, in case of females, and vice versa.

Liver Cysts: Causes and Symptoms

Most cases of liver cysts are idiopathic. They are known to develop as a result of congenital (present at birth) aberrations of the bile duct. Few cases of liver cysts are caused due to other severe complications such as polycystic liver disease (massive enlargement of liver), liver cancer, Caroli's disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis and echinococcus infection.

Liver cysts are mostly asymptomatic. It is found that less than 5% of people with liver cysts develop symptoms. Also, they don’t affect the normal functioning of liver. When the cysts grows larger to about 7 cm, then only they cause symptoms such as

• Upper abdominal swelling and discomfort
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Eruption of the cysts
• Digestive problems
• Shoulder pain
• Liver enlargement
• Blockage of the bile ducts
• Infection of the bile ducts

In case the cysts are big enough (for example more than 3 cm), it is advisable to go for a follow-up abdominal imaging to check the growth of the cysts.

Liver Cysts: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of liver cysts is done when a patient undergoes a CT (Computed Tomography) scan or an ultrasound procedure of the abdomen. Usually, liver cysts are detected incidentally, while doing imaging tests for other problems. If required, examination of a sample of fluid from the cysts or biopsy of the affected tissues is conducted. It is common that an individual has more than one cyst in the tissues of liver and rarely, there are multiple cysts.

Since liver cysts don’t disturb in the normal functioning of the body, there are no significant treatment methods. People go for treatment of liver cysts only after symptoms appear. Treatment mainly follows aspiration and surgical removal of the cysts. Among these treatment methods, simple aspiration of the cysts is not recommended as the cysts usually fills up again.

In order to avoid recurrent development of the cysts, removing a large part of the affected tissues is done laparoscopically. Also, removal of cysts is prescribed if the cysts prevent the normal flow of the bile juice to the small intestine. In case the cysts are infected, then treatment may include administration of antibiotics and other prescribed medications.

It is to be noted that until and unless there are no symptoms, no specific treatment is needed for liver cysts. However, one should be aware about the complications of liver cysts such as infection, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and sclera), bleeding into cyst (causing pain) and disturbance of the flow of bile juice. If anybody suspects that he/she has liver cysts, it is recommended to consult and seek advice from a physician so as to get proper medical attention.