A hepatic cyst, or simple liver cyst, is a fluid-filled sac within the liver parenchyma that is lined by a thin layer of epithelial cells. Simple liver cysts are extremely common, present in about 5 percent of the population, and are usually incidental findings on abdominal ultrasound. On ultrasound, a simple cyst appears as a well-defined, round or oval, anechoic structure with smooth, thin walls, no internal echoes, and posterior acoustic enhancement. These classic features allow confident diagnosis without further imaging. Simple hepatic cysts require no treatment or follow-up unless they are very large and causing symptoms from mass effect on surrounding structures.
Sonography Term