HEPATIC CYSTIC-DISEASE IN AN ADULT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY-DISEASE TRANSPLANT POPULATION

Background: A study of the incidence of polycystic liver in a transpla nt population and an assessment of the impact of this disease on the g roup was undertaken. Clinical presentation, investigation and treatmen t of hepatic polycystic disease are explored. Methods: The study exami ned the morbidity incurred by polycystic liver disease in these patien ts, patient and graft survival, incidence of hepatic cysts and present ation, investigation and management of morbid hepatic cystic disease. One hundred and eleven patients were studied. Results: It was found th at hepatic cysts occurred in the majority of patients that underwent t ransplants for renal failure because of polycystic kidney disease at t his institution. Symptomatic hepatic cystic disease was found to be pr imarily responsible for three deaths and affected between 15 and 20% o f the group. Gall bladder disease was found to be associated with high ly symptomatic hepatic cystic disease. Conclusion: Hepatic cystic dise ase is common in patients that have had kidney transplants because of polycystic kidney disease. Morbidity is likely to increase as patients survive for longer periods, Cholecystectomy should be considered in p atients with significant hepatic cystic disease.