Hepatic Cyst: Causes, Symptoms &Treatment

Liver cysts or hepatic cysts are fluid-filled cavities in the liver that can vary in size and may cause pain or discomfort for some people. Most liver cysts are benign or noncancerous and do not require treatment.

In this article, we will learn about liver cyst causes, symptoms and effective treatment options to ease the condition.

What Are Hepatic Cysts?

Hepatic cysts or liver cysts are noncancerous and can be classified into two main types: simple liver cysts and complex liver cysts. Simple liver cysts are usually harmless, filled with fluid and do not cause symptoms or require treatment. At the same time, Complex liver cysts can be more severe conditions and can sometimes lead to complications.

Simple Liver Cysts

Simple liver cysts are discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions. They are usually asymptomatic, meaning they do not cause any symptoms. In most cases, these cysts do not impact liver function and are left untreated.

Complex Liver Cysts

Complex liver cysts like septated hepatic cysts, can present more of a concern. These cysts may have multiple compartments or septa and could be associated with conditions like polycystic liver disease or echinococcosis. Complex cysts may require further evaluation and treatment to avoid further complications.

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Hepatic Cyst Causes

Hepatic cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the liver that can be congenital or acquired. Most are benign and non-cancerous. Common causes include:

Congenital cysts: These form when there is an issue with the bile ducts during development before birth.
Polycystic liver disease: This is a genetic condition that leads to the formation of multiple cysts over time.
Parasitic infections: Sometimes, infections caused by a type of parasite (Echinococcus granulosus) can lead to the creation of cysts.
Trauma or liver surgery: If someone has an injury to the liver or has undergone liver surgery, it can sometimes cause cysts to form afterward.
Neoplastic cysts: These are rare and can be linked to specific types of tumors.

Hepatic Cyst Symptoms

Most liver cysts remain asymptomatic and are found during imaging for unrelated issues. However, symptoms can appear if the cyst grows or causes complications:

Dull or sharp pain in the upper right abdomen
Bloating or abdominal fullness
Nausea or indigestion
Early satiety.
Jaundice if bile ducts are compressed
Fever or sudden pain if the cyst becomes infected or ruptures.

How to Diagnose Liver Cysts

Hepatic cysts are usually identified during imaging studies. Diagnostic methods include:

Ultrasound: This is the most common and non-invasive method for detecting liver cysts. It uses sound waves to create images of the liver.
CT scan or MRI: These tests take very detailed pictures of the liver to assess size, wall thickness and internal structure.
Serological tests: Doctors may perform blood tests to check for infections or parasites that could be causing the cysts like those from hydatid disease.
Liver function tests: These tests assess how well the liver is working overall.
Biopsy (rare): It may be done if there is a concern that the cyst could be cancerous.

Hepatic Cyst Treatment

The treatment for cysts varies based on their size, symptoms and what caused them. Here is how to dissolve liver cysts:

Observation: If a cyst is small and not causing any problems, doctors recommend just monitoring it without any treatment.
Surgical removal: If a cyst is large or causing pain or other issues, doctors may suggest removing it through surgery.
Laparoscopic cyst unroofing: This involves a small procedure that can relieve pressure from the cyst without making big cuts in the body.
Aspiration with sclerotherapy: In some cases, doctors can drain the fluid from the cyst and then inject a special solution to help prevent it from coming back.
Antiparasitic therapy: For certain types of cysts that caused by parasites like hydatid cysts, doctors may prescribe medicines to help treat the infection.

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What Size of Liver Cyst Is Dangerous?

The risk of complications increases with the size and nature of the cyst:

Less than 3 cm: Usually considered safe and typically doesn't need any treatment.
Between 3 and 5 cm: Often monitored with periodic imaging like ultrasounds or CT scans.
More than 5 cm: These can start to cause symptoms and should be looked into more closely.
Between 7 and 10 cm: There's a higher chance of complications like rupture, pressure on nearby organs or infection.
Complex or irregular cysts: These may suggest a possible health issue and require careful examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of liver cysts are benign (non-cancerous). However, complex cysts with thick walls or solid components may need further evaluation to rule out rare cancers like cystadenocarcinomas.

Simple liver cysts usually remain stable and don't require treatment. In rare cases, small cysts may shrink or disappear but larger or symptomatic cysts typically persist without intervention.

You should seek medical attention if you experience symptoms like persistent upper abdominal pain, bloating, jaundice, fever or if your doctor finds a large or complex cyst on imaging.

Yes. Asymptomatic cysts may not need any treatment. If intervention is needed, aspiration, sclerotherapy or medications can help based on the cause and severity. Surgery is usually reserved for large, painful or complicated cysts.

Most liver cysts do not affect liver function, especially if they are small and simple. However, large cysts or multiple cysts from conditions like polycystic liver disease can compress liver tissue and impair its function in rare cases.