In parenchymal organs, a cavity formation with liquid contents, which is called a cyst, may appear. Often this formation is of a benign nature, it can either be expressed by symptoms or not disturb the patient's symptoms.
The liver can also be affected by the formation of cysts, according to estet-portal.com. Most often, liver cysts affect women aged 40 to 50 years. From what appears and how to treat a liver cyst, we will tell today, we will also discuss possible complications in this disease.
Causes of liver cysts and their classification
Liver cysts can be localized in different parts and segments of the liver. In diameter, cysts can reach up to 25 centimeters. Liver cysts are associated with:
- cholelithiasis,
- polycystic ovaries or kidneys,
- cirrhosis.
The liver cyst is lined with cuboidal or cylindrical epithelium, contains a liquid that is colorless and odorless. In rare cases, this fluid may contain epithelial cells, fibrin, bilirubin, cholesterol, mucin.
Classification of liver cysts
Among all types of cysts, there are:
- true,
- false liver cysts.
True liver cysts are congenital and have an epithelial lining within the cavity. False cysts are acquired in nature and are formed after various inflammatory diseases, injuries, operations. Against this background, fibrocystic changes are present in the cavities of secondary cysts.
By the number of cavities in the cyst, they are distinguished:
- multiple,
- single cysts.
Also classified as parasitic and non-parasitic cysts. More often, parasitic liver cysts develop against the background of liver echinococcosis. There is still no consensus why true liver cysts form. Some authors argue that a liver cyst is formed during embryogenesis against the background of inflammatory changes in the biliary tract. There is also a connection between the use of hormonal drugs (oral contraceptives, estrogens) and the occurrence of liver cysts.
False liver cysts appear against the background of traumatic liver injury, tumor necrosis, metabolic process and parasitic damage to the liver.
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Clinical symptoms and complications of liver cyst
Clinical manifestations begin to disturb the patient when the cyst reaches a size of up to 8 cm, as well as when cysts affect about 20% of the liver. In this case, there is a feeling of heaviness and bursting, localized in the right hypochondrium. Symptoms become worse after exercise and after eating. Dyspeptic phenomena appear:
- burp,
- flatulence,
- nausea,
- vomit,
- diarrhea.
Among the general state of health, patients pay attention to weakness, subfebrile temperature, increased sweating and loss of appetite. When very large, liver cysts provoke an increase in the size of the abdomen, weight loss and jaundice.
Complications related to liver cyst
Liver cysts can be complicated by:
- hemorrhage into the cyst cavity or its wall,
- perforation and suppuration,
- malignant degeneration,
- torsion of the cyst stem.
When a cyst ruptures, it is accompanied by an acute attack of abdominal pain. With such a complication of the cyst & nbsp; there is a very high risk of bleeding into the abdominal cavity and peritonitis. If an infectious process joins, a liver abscess develops.
Liver cysts against the background of echinococcosis are dangerous because parasites can spread hematogenously and form infectious foci (lung cysts). Complications of a liver cyst can be fatal.
Diagnostics when a liver cyst is found
Usually, liver cysts are detected by chance during abdominal ultrasound, confirms estet-portal.com. In some cases, percutaneous puncture of the cyst with cytological and bacteriological examination of the secret is required. To exclude liver cysts of parasitic etiology, it is advisable to conduct a specific study of blood serum (RNGA, ELISA).
Before treating a liver cyst, it is important to make a differential diagnosis with:
- hemangioma,
- oncological processes in the small intestine and mesentery,
- retroperitoneal space,
- pancreas,
- dropsy gallbladder,
- metastatic lesions of the liver.
For this purpose, CT, MRI, angiography of the celiac trunk, liver scintigraphy are performed. If there is much doubt about the diagnosis, a diagnostic laparoscopy is performed.
Methods of treatment of liver cysts
If there are small liver cysts up to 3 centimeters in diameter that do not cause symptoms, only the observation of a gastroenterologist is required. Indications for surgical intervention are & nbsp; complications of liver cysts such as:
- break,
- suppuration and bleeding from cysts,
- giant cysts (10 cm or more).
The development of portal hypertension against the background of compression of the portal vein system and compression of the biliary tract with impaired bile outflow are indications for surgical treatment. Severe symptoms that impair the quality of life are also an indication for surgery.
Treatment of parasitic cysts is carried out under the supervision of an infectious disease specialist. Surgical interventions can be palliative, radical and conditionally radical.
The prognosis after radical removal of the cyst is favorable. After palliative interventions, relapses are possible in the long term, which require repeated therapeutic manipulations. If cysts are left untreated, they can lead to major complications. A lethal outcome is possible with the onset of liver failure, emphasizes estet-portal.com.
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