Giant hepatic cyst as a cause of gastric outlet obstruction

Abstract

We describe the case of a 58-year-old female who presented to her primary care provider with lifelong anorexia, 6-week history of liquid only diet and new onset epigastric abdominal pain radiating to the back accompanied by nausea and abdominal distension. An initial computed tomography scan with contrast demonstrated a massive simple hepatic cyst with mass effect compression of the duodenal sweep. Repetitive treatment with aspiration sclerotherapy using hypertonic saline provided initial resolution of symptoms and led to substantial reduction of cyst diameter. Repeat imaging demonstrated complete drainage of the cyst and decompression of the duodenum. Ultimately, the patient's symptoms returned 6 weeks later at which time she opted for surgical deroofing of the cyst. Surgery provided for complete resolution. This case appears to be the first to document the compression of second portion of the duodenum by a massive simple hepatic cyst causing anorexia and mimicking gastric outlet obstruction. Keywords: Hepatic cyst, Liver, Duodenum, Gastric outlet obstruction