Liver cysts K76.8

A solitary or multiple fluid-filled cavity (cyst) embedded in the liver parenchyma. Liver cysts are often found by chance in symptom-free patients and usually have no pathological value. Liver cysts can be a partial symptom of "autosomal dominant polycystic nephropathy".

Solitary liver cysts occur in people > 50 years with an incidence of 3-5%.

The non-parasitic cysts may be hereditary (congenital), traumatic (due to external action) or neoplastic (new formation).

Liver cysts may also form as a result of intrahepatic bile duct obstruction.

Extremely rarely, liver cysts form as a degenerative concomitant of liver cirrhosis.

In autosomal dominant polycystic nephropathy (ADPKD - Q61.2), liver cysts are encountered in nearly 100% of cases; they are combined with pancreatic cysts and cerebral base artery aneurysms in 10% of cases.

Liver cysts have a roundish shape that is sharply delineated from the rest of the tissue and has a delicate wall. They generally enlarge very slowly.

Sonography: round, echo-free, smoothly limited structure with distal sound amplification.

Cystic echinococcosis caused by parasites (e.g. Echinococcus granulosus).

Rarely bleeding or infection

A surgical indication is only given in the case of corresponding pain problems, very large cysts or so-called cyst livers (due to multiple cysts, the liver can have a significantly increased volume). The symptomatic cysts are opened laparoscopically and relieved. Alternatively, sclerotherapy of the cyst(s) can be performed under laparoscopic control (20% NACL solution; Polidocanol: Jusufovic R et al. 2011; Spârchez Z et al. 2014).

Similar to the kidney, the liver is also differentiated between a liver cyst and a cyst liver (liver parenchyma interspersed with numerous cysts like honeycombs).

1. Cui W et al (2013) Surgical management of non-parasitic hepatic cyst with biliary communication: a case report. Cancer Biol Med 10:110-113.
2. Jusufovic R et al (2011) Percutaneous treatment of symptomatic non-parasitic benign liver cysts with 20% NaCl solution. Med Arh 65:35-37.
3. Spârchez Z et al. (2014) Percutaneous treatment of symptomatic non-parasitic hepatic cysts. Initial experience with single-session sclerotherapy with polidocanol. Med Ultrason 16:222-228.