Obstructive Jaundice Caused by Polycystitc Liver Disease: Report of a Case

Polycystic liver disease (PCLD) is characterized by the progressive development of multiple cysts in liver, which are not usually diagnosed until adulthood. The cysts initially bud from biliary epithelium and subsequently lack continuity with the remaining biliary tree. Herein, the case of an 88-year-old man with a 2-week history of poor appetite, general weakness, and progressive jaundice is described. PCLD resulted in external compression of biliary tract was suspected and confirmed via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A large cyst externally compressing the common hepatic duct was identified. Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage was attempted, but was not initially successful until after the cysts were aspirated and ethanol was injected to ablate the cysts. Neither gross nor microscopic evidence of malignancy was noted. Cyst drainage with subsequent ethanol injection in the initial stage of liver cyst ablation could be considered a first-line treatment option for patients with PCLD.