Polycystic Disease of the Liver

Polycystic liver disease usually presents as a benign progressive hepatomegaly, the true characteristic of which is found during surgical exploration or at postmortem examination. Liver function tests, biopsies, and scans are of little value diagnostically. Preoperative use of a percutaneous cystogram is diagnostic and safe, provided parasitic disease has been ruled out. Areas where partial or complete lobectomy might be indicated are delineated preoperatively with hepatic angiography. Surgical peritoneal marsupialization provides effective relief.