Imaging findings of biliary hamartomas.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the imaging findings of biliary hamartomas (von Meyenburg complexes, VMCs) and discuss the differential diagnosis with other related diseases.


METHODS
Imaging findings of biliary hamartomas on ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)and hepatobiliary scintigraphy were retrospectively analyzed in six patients.


RESULTS
On ultrasound images, five of the six cases showed multiple small hyper- and hypo-echoic lesions with comet-tail echoes, especially when magnified by US with the usage of zoom function. In all the six cases, multiple tiny hypodense lesions less than 10 mm in diameter were revealed as scattered throughout the liver with no enhancement on CT. These tiny lesions were demonstrated to be hyper- and hypo-intensity on T2- and TI-weighed images, respectively, in three patients who underwent MRI examinations. MRCP was performed in two patients, and clearly showed multiple tiny irregular- and round-shaped hyper-intensity lesions. MRCP and hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed normal appearances of intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts in two and one patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging modalities are useful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of VMCs. A correct diagnosis might be obtained when typical imaging findings are present even without a histological confirmation.
Zheng
Rong-Qin
RQ
Department of Ultrasound, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shipai, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China. ultrasoundzh@sohu.com
Zhang
Bo
B
Kudo
Masatoshi
M
Onda
Hirokazu
H
Inoue
Tatsuo
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography