Hepatic Cysts and Liver Abscess

Hepatic cysts were considered to be a rare entity until 30 years ago when a Mayo Clinic report showed an incidence of 17 per 10,000 operations. With the evolution of modern imaging techniques, reports of the prevalence of simple cysts has increased with rates of 3% to 5% on ultrasonography to as high as 18% on CT. The differential diagnosis of hepatic cysts is extensive, with varying causes, prevalence, manifestations, and severity. Cystic lesions may represent a congenital disorder, which may be inherited, a cystic malformation of intrahepatic bile ducts, or an infectious process.