2023 Medical Science Popularization - Liver Cyst

Hepatic cyst (HC) is a benign cystic lesion of the liver. In layman's terms, it is a water bag or a bag of liquid. The surface is a layer of capsule, and the inside is colorless or light yellow clear liquid. When there is infection, it is pus, and when there is bleeding, it is bloody water, mostly brown.

Liver cysts are generally round or oval, with thin walls and some internal partitions. They vary greatly in size, ranging from a few millimeters to tens of centimeters. Color Doppler ultrasound is currently the preferred method for diagnosing liver cysts. It can clearly show the number, size, location, adjacent and internal features of the cysts, providing a basis for follow-up observation or appropriate treatment.

The most common type of liver cyst is simple cyst, which may be single or multiple and is usually discovered during a physical examination; the second most common type is polycystic liver disease, which is an autosomal dominant genetic disease often associated with polycystic kidney disease; the third is hepatic hydatid cyst, also known as hepatic echinococcosis, which is common in areas with developed animal husbandry and is a zoonotic parasitic disease.

The most common simple liver cysts are:

1. It is a benign lesion that grows slowly and most patients do not experience any discomfort. When the cyst becomes large, there may be symptoms such as abdominal pain. Generally, no treatment is required and regular check-ups are sufficient.

2. If the cyst is larger than 5cm in diameter, or if it compresses adjacent tissues and causes discomfort, appropriate treatment is required and the prognosis is good.

3. If this disease needs treatment, there are usually two methods: ① Minimally invasive, currently the preferred method, can be done under ultrasound guidance, percutaneous transhepatic cyst puncture and drainage plus sclerotherapy. ② Surgery, used in special circumstances. The doctor will choose the most appropriate treatment plan according to the specific situation.