Simple liver cysts

Copied fromm the British liver Trust.

Simple Liver Cysts

'Simple cysts arise from a malformation of your bile ducts. In rare cases, they can cause bile duct obstruction, secondary infection or may rupture. Some may require surgical drainage.

Simple cysts are not inherited and unrelated to polycystic liver disease in which many more cysts are present. They are estimated to affect between 1% and 2.5% of the population. They affect all ages, but occur more frequently in the population as age increases.

Simple cysts usually have no symptoms. Larger cysts may occasionally cause some dull pain and/ or swelling in the upper right hand side of your abdomen, an area referred to as the ‘right upper quadrant’. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), which is often caused by bile duct obstruction, is rare.

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.

If required, to reduce their size, doctors can remove the fluid from the cyst. They do this by inserting a needle through the skin under X-ray guidance, and withdrawing (aspirating) the fluid. However, the fluid will usually refill the cyst. To help stop this, after the fluid has been taken out, doctors may inject a substance into the cyst to help stick the walls together. This substance is called a sclerosant. A similar technique involves removing part of the wall of the cyst, called laparoscopic de-roofing.'

Kidney stones in people later in life (40+) are quite common. When I had an ultrasound they found some. But as they are small and not causing a problem, they are just left alone.