How is a Cyst on the Liver Treated?
-
Detection
-
A simple cyst is a formation that fills with clear fluid. Most are small (a few millimeters in length) and harmless. Though it is rare for patients with cysts on the liver to experience symptoms (about 5%), when they occur they can include pain and abdominal discomfort. A liver cyst can be detected by a CT (computed tomography scan- an advanced x-ray technique), or an ultrasound (a widely used diagnostic procedure using high frequency sound waves to acquire images) and rarely requires any further medical attention, as the cysts do not interfere with the normal function of the liver.
Treatment
-
Most patients with simple cysts are women, particularly over the age of fifty. For those women requiring medical intervention, draining a cyst by puncturing it with a needle and allowing the fluid to be released is typically not an effective treatment. The fluid simply re-accumulates in a matter of days. Most likely, a large portion of the cyst wall must be removed.
-
Laparoscopic Surgery
-
Laparoscopic surgery (an examination of the area using a laparoscope) is an effective treatment for the removal of painful cysts on the liver. This surgery is minimally invasive and requires just a few small incisions to remove the cyst; often the results are successful, as the recurrence of a cyst is unlikely. Patients undergoing this procedure may be required to spend a night in the hospital. Though recovery times may vary, most individuals may resume normal activities within a few days.
-
