Large symptomatic simple hepatic cyst with gastric compression treated with percutaneous drainage

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Nonparasitic hepatic cysts are a diverse group of biliary anomalies, frequently discovered incidentally via imaging or during surgical procedures.
• Simple hepatic cysts, a common type, arise from congenital malformations of the biliary system and can be solitary or multiple.

Observation:

• Hepatic cysts are increasingly diagnosed due to advancements in imaging technologies like ultrasound and CT scans.
• While typically asymptomatic, large or strategically located cysts can induce compressive symptoms, including portal hypertension, jaundice, and duodenal obstruction.
• Gastric extrinsic compression by hepatic cysts is an infrequently reported complication.

Findings:

• This report details a case of a female patient experiencing gastric compression due to a large, uncomplicated simple hepatic cyst.
• Percutaneous drainage was successfully employed as an intervention to reduce the cyst's size and alleviate gastric compression symptoms.

Implications:

• Percutaneous drainage represents a viable treatment option for symptomatic simple hepatic cysts causing gastric compression.
• This case highlights the importance of considering hepatic cysts as a potential cause of gastric outlet obstruction symptoms.
• Further investigation into the management of symptomatic hepatic cysts, particularly those causing extrinsic compression, is warranted.