Liver Cyst Flashcards
1
Q
Define liver cyst
A
Fluid filled sacs in the liver
2
Q
What are the causes/risk factors of liver cysts?
A
Simple cysts
• Unknown cause (possibly congenital)
Hydatid cysts
• Echinococcus granulosus (tapeworm)
• Infection may occur from contact with contaminated dog faeces
- Polycystic liver disease
- Neoplastic cysts
3
Q
What are the symptoms of liver cysts?
A
• Dull RUQ pain
4
Q
What are the signs of liver cysts?
A
• Palpable mass in RUQ
5
Q
What investigations are carried out for liver cysts?
A
- FBC - anaemia, leucocytosis, eosinophilia in hydatid cysts
- LFTs - raised ALP, BR
- ESR/ CRP - elevated
- Blood Cultures - positive for the causative bacteria in pyogenic abscesses.
- Serology - antibodies positive for amoeba and hydatid.
- Stool Cultures - positive for E. histolytica and tapeworm eggs.
- USS - localises the cyst
- CT/ MRI - localises the cyst
- CXRAY - look for right pleural effusiom, atelectasis, raised hemidiaphragm
- Aspiration and abscess culture - most pyogenic liver abscesses are polymicrobial. Amoebic abscesses contain ‘anchovy sauce’ fluid of necrotic hepatocytes and trophozoites
