Fenestration of liver cysts in polycystic liver disease to improve quality of life: a case report and literature review

Polycystic liver disease (PCLD) is characterized by a large number of liver cysts scattered throughout the liver parenchyma. We herein intend to present the beneficial effect of palliative fenestration treatment on quality of life in a patient with symptomatic PCLD. A 48-year-old female patient had been followed up for 5 years for both polycystic liver and kidney diseases at another institution. During follow-up for last 1 year, we recognized that she had barely maintained her ability of function in daily activities due to progressive worsening of fatigue and dyspnea on exertion. The patient finally underwent surgical fenestration treatment. Multiple cysts in the enlarged liver were opened and the cyst walls were excised with electrocautery. No surgical complication occurred and the patient was discharged 10 days after the open fenestration surgery. The total liver volume was 3,870 ml before surgery and 3,125 ml at 1 week after surgery, showing a volume reduction of 19.3%. After surgery, her performance status improved significantly. In the present case, significant improvement in quality of life and daily activity performance was achieved after open fenestration treatment over 18 months of follow-up without disease recurrence.