A novel twist in polycystic liver disease

Liver cysts are a frequent finding on radiological imaging. Prevalence rates depend on the technique, but with CT or MRI, simple hepatic cysts are seen in approximately one-fifth of the population.1 Usually no more than one or two small (<3 cm) cysts are present. These cysts are innocuous and do not require immediate clinical attention. The situation is different when there are multiple and/or large liver cysts such as in polycystic liver disease (PLD). Though PLD is infrequent, patients are seen in every gastroenterology practice. Many patients give a positive family history of PLD. The majority of PLD patients will also have multiple renal cysts and suffer from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This is a progressive disorder that leads to end-stage renal disease. By contrast, some PLD patients do not have that renal phenotype and they are affected by isolated autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease (PCLD)....

Source: Gut - September 2, 2014 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Cnossen, W. R., Drenth, J. P. Tags: Commentary Source Type: research