[Epidermoid cyst: a rare cause of cystic liver disease]

Abstract

We present the case of a 42-year-old male patient with a large hepatic cyst, simulating a hydatid cyst. Subtotal cystectomy was performed. Thirteen months after this procedure the patient relapsed and a second laparotomy and total cystectomy were performed. A histopathological diagnosis of epidermoid cyst of the liver was made. The differential diagnosis of epidermoid cysts of the liver is broad and definitive diagnosis is usually only obtained after pathological examination of the surgical specimen. For this reason, and because of the potential for neoplasia, complete resection of the hepatic lesion should be attempted.