Liver cysts and abscesses

Liver cysts and abcesses. Liver cysts are common lesions and present in around 5% of the population. Their diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and imaging, mostly ultrasound and computed-tomography- scan. Magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are useful in order to characterize complex or atypical cystic lesions. The simple hepatic cyst is the most common lesion; it is always benign and is usually asymptomatic. It does justify neither monitoring nor treatment. The other cystic lesions of the liver are of infectious origin: the hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus and frequent in endemic areas, and hepatic abscesses that include pyogenic and amebic abscesses. Other rare cystic lesions include mucinous cystic lesions, which have vascularized solid components and are potentially malignant, and cystic metastases. Overall, less than 5% of cystic liver lesions are malignant.