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Liver Cysts - What Are They?

Also known as a hepatic cyst, a simple liver cyst is a thin-walled bubble, a fluid-filled cavity in the liver that usually produces no signs or symptoms. Some liver cysts do not contain fluid.

A relatively common condition, liver cysts are normally benign and pose no problems or health risks. They are usually detected by chance during other types of testing, and may be diagnosed through ultrasound or computerized tomography (CAT) scans.

In some cases, however, liver cysts may grow large enough to cause pain or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen, liver enlargement, bile duct infection, or obstruction of the bile ducts, causing the cyst itself to become infected. In these cases, it is necessary to drain and/or remove the cyst.

What Causes Liver Cysts?

The exact cause of simple liver cysts is unknown. Some experts say they may be present at birth, while others speculate that certain other conditions could be the cause:

• Caroli's disease – associated with recurrent bacterial inflammation of the bile duct, stone formation, and dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts
• Congenital (at birth) hepatic fibrosis – a rare hereditary disorder characterized by scar tissue with irregularly shaped bile ducts, and associated with an impairment of renal functions
• Choledochal cysts – congenital (at birth) abnormalities of the bile ducts

In rare cases, liver cysts may indicate a serious, underlying condition such as polycystic liver disease (an inherited disorder associated with multiple cysts of varying size), echinococcosis (parasitic infection), or liver cancer.

Treatment for Liver Cysts

Since liver cysts are normally benign, treatment is generally not indicated. However, in some cases it is necessary to treat the underlying cause. Other diseases can sometimes look like liver cysts, so it is necessary to seek medical attention in order to rule out more problematic diseases.

A biopsy can be performed and/or a sample of the cyst's fluid can be removed for analysis. Liver cysts can be surgically removed if they create problems or discomfort.

For more information on the liver, please review the liver cleansing overview article, or search for related articles by using the search box.

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