Publication:

Pattern of liver cysts with their surgical management

Background Liver cysts are seen in up to 5% of the population. 15-16% of such cysts are symptomatic. Symptomatic cysts are found more commonly in women who are over 50 years of age.Simple hepatic cysts are believed to be congenital in origin.

Methods The observational study was conducted in the department of hepatobiliary department of surgery of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Total of 80 cases were randomly selected for the study. Clinical examination and evaluation were done from July 2013 to June 2014. Proper consent was taken from the respective concern. Statistical analysis of the results was obtained by using window-based computer software statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS-22).

Results Most of the respondents were female (65%). The male-female ratio was 1:1.9. The mean age was 46.4 (±SD 10.191) years, ranging from 13-76 years. There were 69 non-parasitic diseases and 11 parasitic diseases. Among them 30 patients were diagnosed as liver cyst incidentally and they required no treatment. Liver function was abnormal in 70% patients. It was found from ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) scan of abdomen that right lobe involvement (65% and 28% respectively) is more common than left lobe (21.3% and 12% respectively). The most common complication following surgical interventions was haemorrhage (32.4%).

Conclusions Females are affected most and M:F=1:1.9, usual affected age groups are of 5th decade and common in rural area. Imaging is the best modality for diagnosis of cystic lesions but serological investigations are also helpful.