title: Rare cystic liver lesions: a diagnostic and managing challenge.
abstract: Cystic formations within the liver are a frequent finding among populations. Besides the common cystic lesions, like simple liver cysts, rare cystic liver lesions like cystadenocarcinoma should also be considered in the differential diagnosis. Thorough knowledge of each entity's nature and course are key elements to successful treatment. Detailed search in PubMed, Cochrane Database, and international published literature regarding rare cystic liver lesions was carried out. In our research are included not only primary rare lesions like cystadenoma, hydatid cyst, and polycystic liver disease, but also secondary ones like metastasis from gastrointestinal stromal tumors lesions. Up-to date knowledge regarding diagnosis and management of rare cystic liver lesions is provided. A diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm is also proposed. The need for a multidisciplinary approach by a team including radiologists and surgeons familiar with liver cystic entities, diagnostic tools, and treatment modalities is stressed. Patients with cystic liver lesions must be carefully evaluated by a multidisciplinary team, in order to receive the most appropriate treatment, since many cystic liver lesions have a malignant potential and evolution.
authors.affiliation: Andreas Bakoyiannis, Spiros Delis, Christos Dervenis, First Surgical Department-HPB Surgical Unit, Konstantopouleion Agia Olga General Hospital, 14233 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakoyiannis
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delis
authors.forename: Charina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Triantopoulou
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dervenis
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016767:Caroli Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Caroli; Cystadenocarcinoma; Cystadenoma; Cystic tumor; Echinococcus; Gastrointestinal stromal tumors; Hepatic lesion; Hydatid cyst; Liver cyst; Metastases; Polycystic liver disease