Liver cysts K76.8

Liquid-filled cavity (cyst) embedded in the parenchyma of the liver, solitary or multiply occurring. Liver cysts are often found by chance in patients without symptoms and usually have no disease value. Liver cysts can be a partial symptom of "Autosomal dominant polycystic nephropathy".

Solitary liver cysts occur in 3-5% of people > 50 years of age.

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.

Parasitic (e.g. Echinococcus granulosus) cystic echinococcosis.

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.