The occurrence of asymptomatic and symptomatic simple hepatic cysts. A prospective, hospital-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence of asymptomatic and symptomatic liver cysts in a university hospital patient population using modern US equipment.


METHODS
Abdominal US scans of 1541 cases referred during the period 21 January to 11 November 2000 were examined for hepatic cysts.


RESULTS
Of 1541 cases, 174 (11.3%) were found to have hepatic cysts, i.e. 109 female (12.5%) and 65 (9.7%) male patients (9.7%). In 413 individuals younger than 40 years, no cysts were found. Above the age of 40 years, prevalence increased with age.


CONCLUSIONS
By using modern US equipment, we found a higher prevalence of hepatic cysts than that reported in previous studies. Patient selection and the prevalence of liver cysts in the population from which the patients were referred may have influenced our results.
Larssen
T B
TB
Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. tbla@haukeland.no
Rørvik
J
J
Hoff
S R
SR
Horn
A
A
Rosendahl
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography