Purpose: The purpose of this study was to illustrate the CT appearances of
liver cysts in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (
ADPKD).
Material and Methods: Contrast-enhanced CT images of 24 patients with ADPKD
were retrospectively evaluated for the presence, number, size and distribu
tion of liver cysts. An attempt was made to categorize these cysts into per
ibiliary cysts (located adjacent to larger portal triads or in the hepatic
hilum) and intrahepatic cysts (within the liver parenchyma but not in conta
ct with larger portal triads). When it was not possible to definitely categ
orize the cysts into either type, the cysts were labeled as indeterminate.
Results: Liver cysts were seen in 13 (54%) patients. Intrahepatic cysts wer
e seen in 12 patients, and were mainly peripheral in location with sizes ra
nging from less than 10 mm to 8 cm. Peribiliary cysts were seen in all 13 p
atients and were usually less than 10 mm in size. These cysts were seen as
discrete cysts (8 patients), a string of cysts (10 patients), or as a tubul
ar structure paralleling the portal vessels, mimicking biliary dilatation (
11 patients). Twelve patients also showed indeterminate cysts which defied
definite categorization into either type; two common causes of confusion in
cluded large (more than 10 mm) discrete cysts in the hilar region and the p
resence of a vessel adjacent to peripheral cysts.
Conclusion: Liver cysts in patients with ADPKD show a wide variety of appea
rances on CT. Familiarity with these findings is essential to avoid confusi
on with other abnormalities.