The association between estrogen‐containing oral contraceptives and history of pregnancies with disease severity in women with polycystic liver disease (PLD) is unclear. We performed a cross‐sectional cohort study to assess this association by selecting female patients with PLD of which imaging was available prior to any liver volume‐reducing therapy. Patients received a questionnaire to collect detailed information on estrogen use and pregnancies. Preplanned subgroup analyses were performed on premenopausal and postmenopausal patients. The questionnaire was returned by 287 of 360 selected patients (80%). There was no significant association between estrogen‐containing oral contraceptives and height‐adjusted total liver volume (hTLV) in the total group (P = 0.06) and postmenopausal subgroup (P = 0.7). By contrast, each year of exposure corresponds with a 1.45% higher hTLV (P = 0.02) in the premenopausal subgroup, equivalent to a 15.5% higher hTLV for every 10 years of use. Pregnancy duration was not associated with hTLV. In conclusion, patients with PLD should avoid exogenous estrogens.

Background Laparoscopic fenestration is one of the treatment options for symptomatic hepatic cysts, either solitary or in context of polycystic liver disease (PLD), but indications, efficacy and surgical techniques are under debate. Methods A systematic literature search (1950–2017) of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed (CRD42017071305). Studies assessing symptomatic relief or symptomatic recurrence after laparoscopic fenestration in patients with symptomatic, non-parasitic, hepatic cysts were included. Complications were scored according to Clavien–Dindo. Methodological quality was assessed by Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS) for cohort studies. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random effects model for meta-analysis. Results Out of 5277 citations, 62 studies with a total of 1314 patients were included. Median NOS-score was 6 out of 9. Median follow-up duration was 30 months. Symptomatic relief after laparoscopic fenestration was 90.2% (95% CI 84.3–94.9). Symptomatic recurrence was 9.6% (95% CI 6.9–12.8) and reintervention rate was 7.1% (95% CI 5.0–9.4). Post-operative complications occurred in 10.8% (95% CI 8.1–13.9) and major complications in 3.3% (95% CI 2.1–4.7) of patients. Procedure-related mortality was 1.0% (95% CI 0.5–1.6). In a subgroup analysis of PLD patients ( n = 146), symptomatic recurrence and reintervention rates were significantly higher with respective rates of 33.7% (95% CI 18.7–50.4) and 26.4% (95% CI 12.6–43.0). Complications were more frequent in PLD patients, with a rate of 29.3% (95% CI 16.0–44.5). Conclusions Laparoscopic fenestration is an effective procedure for treatment of symptomatic hepatic cysts with a low symptomatic recurrence rate. The symptomatic recurrence rate and risk of complications are significantly higher in PLD patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00464-018-6490-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background and Aims Patients suffering from polycystic liver disease (PLD) can develop large liver volumes, leading to physical and psychological complaints, reducing quality of life. There is an unmet need for new therapies in these patients. Estrogen seems to be a promising target for new therapies. In this review, we summarize the available experimental and epidemiological evidence to unravel the role of estrogens and other female hormones in PLD, to answer clinical questions and identify new targets for therapy. Methods We identified all experimental and epidemiologial studies concerning estrogens or other female hormones and PLD, to answer pre‐defined clinial questions. Results Female sex is the most important risk factor for the presence and severity of disease; estrogen supplementation enhances liver growth and after menopause, liver growth decreases. Experimental studies show the presence of the estrogen receptors alfa and beta on cystic cholangiocytes, and increased in vitro growth after administration of estrogen. Conclusions Based on the available evidence, female PLD patients should be discouraged from taking estrogen‐containing contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Since liver growth rates decline after menopause, treatment decisions should be based on measured liver growth in postmenopausal women. Finally, blockage of estrogen receptors or estrogen production is a promising target for new therapies.

Introduction: Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a rare disease defined by the growth of hepatic cysts and occurs either isolated or as an extrarenal manifestation of polycystic kidney disease. While surgery has been the mainstay in treatment of symptomatic PLD, recently discovered regulatory mechanisms affecting hepatic cystogenesis provide potential new therapies to reduce hepatic cyst burden. Areas covered: This review summarizes intracellular pathways and therapeutic targets involved in hepatic cystogenesis. While drugs that target cAMP, mTOR and bile acids were evaluated in clinical trials, investigation in autophagy, Wnt and miRNA signaling pathways are still in the pre-clinical phase. Recent epidemiological data present female hormones as a promising therapeutic target. Additionally, therapeutic advances in renal cystogenesis are reviewed for their potential application in treatment of hepatic cysts. Expert opinion: Further elucidation of the pathophysiology of hepatic cystogenesis is needed to provide additional targets and improve the efficacy of current treatments. The most promising therapeutic target in PLD is the female hormone pathway, given the increased severity in women and the harmful effects of exogenous estrogens. In addition, combining current pharmaceutical and surgical therapies can lead to improved outcomes. Lastly, the rarity of PLD creates the need to share expertise internationally.