Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
Liver cysts
HEPATIC CYSTS
An abnormal fluid-filled sac in your liver
About
A liver cyst is a pocket of fluid or semi-solid material that can occur for a variety of reasons. It may be linked to a chronic cause of liver disease, a parasite infection, or grow for no clear reason. Many are present at birth (congenital) including multiple (polycystic) cysts that are linked to polycystic liver disease (PLD).
Need to know
Liver cysts may present no symptoms for many years. That's because many types of liver cysts are slow to grow and surround themselves with a layer of tissue that stops them from starting an inflammatory reaction or infection in the liver.
These cysts will grow, however, and may start to increase pressure inside the liver. This may lead to pain on the right side of the ribs, high temperature or feeling discomfort when taking a breath. Should the cyst rupture or leak, you may well experience one or more of the following:
- fever or high temperatures
- nausea
- weight loss
- jaundice, once infection reaches an advanced stage
- surgery
For a confirmed diagnosis of liver cysts, your consultant will usually recommend a CT and/or MRI scan. Blood tests are usually needed to look for rare causes of liver cysts such as Hydatid disease and cystadenoma.
Treatment of cysts will depend on the type of cysts you have. If they're growing quickly, they may be 'deroofed’, where the top of the cyst is removed. Usually this is carried out as a laparoscopic procedure, through small cuts in the abdomen using precision instruments to allow the trapped fluid to drain. A course of antibiotics is likely as well.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.