Posttraumatic Hepatic Cysts

Posttraumatic cysts arise from blunt trauma to the liver where the Glisson capsule has not been damaged, or very rarely from penetrating trauma. These are pseudocysts, that is, they do not have epithelial lining and may contain necrotic tissue, blood, or bile.

Clinical features: Manifestations usually vary depending on the mechanism and extent of the liver injury.

Treatment: Surgery is not always necessary. External drainage is often sufficient in infected cysts. In the case of extensive damage to the liver parenchyma, and especially when bile is found in the lumen of the cyst, liver resection may be necessary.