Solitary nonparasitic hepatic cyst causing obstructive jaundice

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Radiology

Background:

• Solitary nonparasitic hepatic cysts are typically benign liver lesions.
• Jaundice and abnormal liver function tests are uncommon presentations, usually attributed to other causes.
• Obstructive jaundice from hepatic cysts is exceedingly rare.

Observation:

• A case of a solitary nonparasitic hepatic cyst presenting with obstructive jaundice.
• Cholangiographic imaging demonstrated direct compression of intrahepatic biliary radicles by the cyst.
• No other biliary tree obstruction was identified.

Findings:

• The hepatic cyst was the direct cause of biliary compression and subsequent obstructive jaundice.
• This represents the first documented case with cholangiographic evidence of this mechanism.
• Liver function abnormalities correlated with the degree of biliary obstruction.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering hepatic cysts in the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice.
• Suggests that detailed biliary imaging is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Underscores the need for appropriate management strategies to decompress the biliary tree.