Cysts and Polycystic Liver Disease

Cystic and polycystic diseases are genetic and congenital disorders in which cysts occur in the liver (simple cysts and autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease) or in combination with cysts in the kidneys (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease). Women have a higher prevalence with a female-to-male ratio of 1.5:1. Most of the patients are asymptomatic and can be managed conservatively. Severe symptoms can affect 20 % of patients who develop massive hepatomegaly with possible compression of surrounding organs. Rarely (<1 %), patients with polycystic disease suffer from acute complications caused by the torsion of giant and extrahepatic cysts, intraluminal cystic hemorrhage, and infections. The most common methods for the diagnosis of cystic and polycystic disease are cross-sectional imaging studies. Magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive and specific, particularly for diagnosis of cysts communicating with the biliary tree. Different treatment options are available for these patients. Medical treatment has no role. Percutaneous sclerotherapy, transarterial embolization, surgical cyst fenestration , hepatic resection, and liver transplantation are indicated for specific groups of patients.