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| Gastroenterology Research, ISSN 1918-2805 print, 1918-2813 online, Open Access |
| Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, Gastroenterol Res and Elmer Press Inc |
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Letter to the Editor
Volume 8, Number 5, October 2015, pages 279-280
A Lumpy Bumpy Liver
Sunil V. Pawara, b, Vinay G. Zanwara, Samit S. Jaina, Pravin M. Rathia
aDepartment of Gastroenterology, 7th Floor OPD Building, Topiwala National Medical College and Bai Yamunabai Laxman Nair Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
bCorresponding Author: Sunil Pawar, Department of Gastroenterology, 7th Floor OPD Building, Topiwala National Medical College and Bai Yamunabai Laxman Nair Hospital, Dr. Anandrao Nair Road, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Manuscript accepted for publication September 23, 2015
Short title: A Lumpy Bumpy Liver
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/gr676w
| To the Editor | ▴Top |
A 40-year-old male patient presented with distension of abdomen since last 4 years. The distension was progressive and more in upper abdomen. He also developed umbilical hernia since 1 year. There was no jaundice or bleeding. On examination, massive hepatomegaly till right iliac fossa with multiple nodular swellings was felt. The computed tomography of abdomen showed hepatomegaly of 36 cm in size reaching up to pelvis (Fig. 1a). There were multiple variable sized non-enhancing hypodense cystic lesions seen in liver. A 3.4 × 3.5 cm defect was seen in anterior abdominal wall in umbilical region with liver cysts as its content (Fig. 1b). Right kidney was seen in midline in the pelvis facing posteriorly. Both kidneys were enlarged with irregular lobulated contour with cystic lesions (Fig. 1c). The free fluid is seen in abdomen and pelvis. This is a case of polycystic liver and kidney disease with portal hypertension with ascites. Ultrasonography of the family members were normal. The patient was started on salt restricted diet and diuretics. The umbilical hernia was reduced and abdominal binder was applied.
 Click for large image | Figure 1. (a) Massive hepatomegaly with cystic lesions with umbilical hernia. (b) Umbilical hernia with hepatic cyst as its content. (c) Bilateral kidneys showing irregular lobulated contour with cystic lesions. Also note malrotation of right kidney. |
The polycystic liver disease occurs as an extra-renal organ involvement in polycystic kidney disease. Rarely its presentation can be isolated. The cystic transformation of liver is secondary to ductal plate malformation and abnormal fluid secretion by cholangiocytes [1]. This can be managed with medications and genetic counseling. The surgical options are fenestration but recurrence is high, segmental hepatic resection if the cysts are localized and liver transplantation with or without kidney transplantation [2].
Conflict of Interest
There are no conflicts of interest of any authors.
| References | ▴Top |
- Chandok N. Polycystic liver disease: a clinical review. Ann Hepatol. 2012;11(6):819-826.
pubmed - Gevers TJ, Drenth JP. Diagnosis and management of polycystic liver disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013;10(2):101-108.
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