[A giant non-parasitic liver cyst as a prominent epigastric mass in an obese patient].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 62-year-old, obese male patient was referred because of an increasing prominent epigastric mass and bloated feeling. An epigastric hernial defect was clinically excluded.

INVESTIGATIONS: Abdominal imaging by ultrasound and CT-scan demonstrated a giant liver cyst in the left lobe of 20 cm in diameter with a displacement of the stomach. Endoscopy showed an external compression of the stomach. Cystic echinococcosis was excluded by serology.

TREATMENT AND COURSE: Laparoscopic deroofing of the cyst resulted in immediate freedom of symptoms. The further course was uneventful. The patient was discharged one day after the operation.

CONCLUSION

Liver cysts may become symptomatic by intestinal compression syndromes or - occasionally - as a prominent abdominal mass. Laparoscopic deroofing is the golden standard of symptomatic non parasitic liver cysts and is associated with a good clinical outcome.