Cholesterol in cyst fluid and cholesterol-rich areas in cyst walls are common histologic findings. Concentrations of stainable iron particles in these mural aggregations suggest that the cholesterol is the breakdown product of erythrocyte membranes following hemorrhage. Quantitative and qualitative immunologic assays revealed significantly high concentrations of uncoagulable fibrin and fibrin-degradation product complexes in nineteen cyst fluids supporting this theory. Marked fibrinolytic activity was also detected in the cyst capsule, which may explain the presence of the lysed fibrin.
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