Polycystic liver disease

Polycystic liver disease: more than half of patients also have polycystic kidney disease. Polycystic liver disease often involves the entire liver, though in a small number of patients the lesions are confined to one lobe or half of the liver. The vast majority of polycystic liver disease is congenital, resulting from certain developmental abnormalities that lead to the formation of liver cysts. Patients with polycystic liver disease generally do not develop symptoms until 30-50 years of age; in rare cases, huge cysts in female patients may interfere with the delivery process. The cysts grow slowly and gradually. Patients complain of abdominal distension and may palpate a mass themselves. If the cysts compress adjacent organs, corresponding symptoms may appear. Unless complicated by intracystic hemorrhage, rupture, or torsion of the cyst pedicle causing severe abdominal pain, pain is generally not severe. Sometimes there may be abdominal fullness or a heavy sensation, decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Jaundice may occasionally occur due to bile duct obstruction.