Solitary nonparasitic hepatic cysts.

We reviewed eight cases of nonparasitic solitary hepatic cysts found in two community hospitals during a ten-year period ending in 1978. Diagnostic evaluation consisted primarily of ultrasonography, arteriography, liver scan, and upper gastrointestinal contrast studies. Six symptomatic patients were operated upon and two nonsymptomatic patients were observed. There have been no recurrences or operative deaths in this series. It is concluded that (1) solitary hepatic cysts are not as rare as previously thought; (2) the tools of ultrasonography, arteriography, and liver scan may be expected to increase diagnostic accuracy; and (3) operative therapy must be individualized to both the general condition of the patient and the location of the cyst.