Our liver is a cone-shaped, dark-reddish brown organ situated in the upper right portion of our abdominal cavity, on top of the stomach, intestines, and right kidney, but underneath the diaphragm. Weighing about three pounds, our liver has about 13 percent of our blood flowing through its two main lobes at any given time. It receives blood rich in nutrients from our hepatic portal vein as well as oxygenated blood from our hepatic artery. Its main function is twofold: to regulate the levels of most chemicals circulating in our blood and to excrete bile, a product that aids in digestion.
Cysts are defined by being “sac-like pocket[s] of membranous tissue that contain fluid, air, or other substances.” They can develop practically anywhere on your body, as well as under your skin. And your liver is no exception.
The cause behind liver cysts is often unknown: they can be present at birth or form later in your life. If you’re born with one, it’s likely that it won’t be detected until you reach adulthood because they tend to be asymptomatic. If you have a cyst in your liver that grows large, however, you may experience bloating and pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen. In rare cases, liver cysts can even grow so large that they can be felt through your abdomen. They don’t usually cause complications, though they may sometimes lead to liver failure or even liver cancer.
Traditionally, liver cysts don’t require treatment. However, your physician may suggest you undergo treatment for them if you have a cyst that has become too large and/or painful. Liver cysts could also obstruct your bile duct, thereby preventing it from reaching your intestine and ultimately causing digestive issues.
One way that cysts in the liver are treated is via a surgical process known as unroofing; this process works by removing the part of the cyst wall that stretches to the liver’s surface.
The Ezra abdominal, torso, and full-body scans could identify cysts in your liver. If you’d like to learn more about what we have to offer, you may do so at the following link.
