What do cysts on the liver indicate?

The cause of simple liver cysts isn’t known, but they may be the result of a malformation present at birth. Rarely, liver cysts may indicate a serious, underlying condition such as: Polycystic liver disease, an inherited disorder. Echinococcus infection, a parasitic infection.

Can a liver cyst be misdiagnosed?

Intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas are rare cysts forming hepatic neoplasms, which are usually multilocular. Clinical, radiological, and histological features are nonspecific and often lead to misdiagnosis. Some tumors may be unilocular. Cysts are usually thin walled and filled with thin watery fluid.

What are the symptoms of a liver cyst bursting?

The symptoms include upper abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite and dyspnoea. The patient described in this case presented at the emergency department with acute haemorrhagic rupture of a liver cyst.

Should I worry about liver cysts?

Liver cysts are uncommon and rarely cause symptoms. However, if they become large, they can sometimes cause pain and swelling in the abdomen, plus other symptoms. If a liver cyst is causing problems, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the cyst.

Are liver cysts serious?

Liver cysts are usually benign, which means they are not cancerous. However, around 5 percent of liver cysts are cystic tumors. Very rarely, these cystic tumors can become malignant and can spread beyond the liver. Because of this, doctors will usually recommend surgery to remove a cystic tumor completely.

Are cysts in the liver common?

Simple liver cysts, thin-walled sacs filled with fluid, are quite common and generally cause no problems. The most common symptom of liver cysts is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Liver cysts can fill with blood and cause severe upper right abdominal pain.

How do you know if a liver cyst ruptures?

Generally, cyst rupture causes mild or no symptoms and is recognised by the disappearance of a previously known cyst. Rupture should also be suspected in patients with sudden abdominal pain and abdomen distension related to ascites. The course is benign in most patients.

Is liver cyst life threatening?

Although complications of liver cysts are rare, they are often serious and sometimes life-threatening. There is no consensus on their management because complications are so uncommon.

What is a balloon cyst on the liver?

A cyst is an abnormal, fluid-filled balloon or bubblelike structure (sac) that can grow in any part of your body. Liver cysts are mostly congenital, meaning that you have them from birth, or caused by contact with some form of parasite.

What causes cysts to form on the liver?

The overwhelming majority of cystic disease is caused by simple cysts. There are also inherited disorders that cause cysts, including polycystic liver disease, congenital hepatic fibrosis and Caroli’s syndrome. Although rare in the UK, hydatid cysts are caused by a parasitic infection.

What is the difference between a cyst and a benign liver tumor?

Benign liver tumours are common and usually without symptoms (asymptomatic). A cyst is an abnormal, fluid-filled balloon or bubblelike structure (sac) that can grow in any part of your body.

How are liver cysts diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose simple liver cysts medical staff may record your medical history and carry out a physical examination. An ultrasound or CT scan of your abdomen may also be carried out. Simple liver cysts generally do not require treatment unless they become large enough to cause pain.