A ciliated hepatic foregut cyst mimicking hydatid cyst treated with laparoscopic surgery; a case-report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Congenital hepatic foregut cyst (CHFC) is a rare condition that is derived from an abnormal detachment of esophageal buds during foregut embryonic development. Early treatment is generally recommended due to the potential of malignant transformation. In this study, we are reporting our experience with laparoscopic resection of CHFC in a female patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old female farmer presented with a 5-month history of right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain with a palpable mass. Abdominal examination revealed a visible subhepatic large mass with an estimated size of 10 cm, which was horizontally mobile. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography showed a 76 ∗ 87 ∗ 15 cm single subhepatic cyst with internal septations. The patient was scheduled to undergo laparoscopic surgical resection of the cyst with an initial diagnosis of a hepatic hydatid cyst. Histopathologic evaluations showed that the cyst wall was composed of four layers consistent with the diagnosis of CHFC. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Due to the disease's rarity there have been various recommendations regarding treatment of CHFC in literature including observation with serial imaging, aspiration, and surgical excision. However, surgical excision is considered the most reasonable option given the chance of malignant transfusion, particularly in patients with enlarging cysts with size of more than 4 cm, cyst wall abnormality, abnormal liver function tests, and symptomatic cases. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection is a feasible option for resection of CHFC given that the cyst wall is thick enough to be excised from the hepatic parenchyma and the lesion is situated on the surface of the liver.