Hepatic cystic disease in an adult polycystic kidney disease transplant population

Background: A study of the incidence of polycystic liver in a transplant population and an assessment of the impact of this disease on the group was undertaken. Clinical presentation, investigation and treatment of hepatic polycystic disease are explored. Methods: The study examined the morbidity incurred by polycystic liver disease in these patients, patient and graft survival, incidence of hepatic cysts and presentation, investigation and management of morbid hepatic cystic disease. One hundred and eleven patients were studied. Results: It was found that hepatic cysts occurred in the majority of patients that underwent transplants for renal failure because of polycystic kidney disease at this institution. Symptomatic hepatic cystic disease was found to be primarily responsible for three deaths and affected between 15 and 20% of the group. Gall bladder disease was found to be associated with highly symptomatic hepatic cystic disease. Conclusion: Hepatic cystic disease is common in patients that have had kidney transplants because of polycystic kidney disease. Morbidity is likely to increase as patients survive for longer periods, Cholecystectomy should be considered in patients with significant hepatic cystic disease.