Cystic hepatic lesions: a review and an algorithmic approach.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the different cystic hepatic lesions, with an emphasis on the imaging features that help to differentiate them, and to propose a practical algorithm for approaching the diagnosis of these lesions.

CONCLUSION: The number and morphology of the lesions and determination of whether there is a solid component are key imaging features that are helpful for approaching the diagnosis of cystic hepatic lesions. Familiarity with these features and knowledge of the clinical associations will help the radiologist to establish a definitive diagnosis or provide a reasonable differential diagnosis.