Adult polycystic liver disease presenting as portal hypertension.

ABSTRACT

Autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease is a systemic hereditary disorder associated with cyst formation in the ductal organs such as the kidney and liver. Multiple massive cysts are typically found in multiparous women. Portal hypertension as a presenting manifestation is very rare but may be caused by associated hepatic fibrosis or massive hepatic replacement of liver by the cysts. Two cases of adult polycystic liver disease, one in uniparous female and another in a 45-year-old male, both presenting with portal hypertension and without any demonstrable fibrosis in the liver, are reported here.