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Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage: Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy in Malignant Biliary Obstruction
Published on: March 25, 2022
Imaging findings of biliary hamartomas
Rong-Qin Zheng1, Bo Zhang, Masatoshi Kudo
1Department of Ultrasound, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shipai, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China. ultrasoundzh@sohu.com
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 19, 2006
Summary
Biliary hamartomas (von Meyenburg complexes, VMCs) present characteristic imaging findings on ultrasound, CT, and MRI. These imaging features aid in diagnosing VMCs and differentiating them from other liver conditions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Biliary hamartomas, also known as von Meyenburg complexes (VMCs), are rare congenital malformations of the intrahepatic bile ducts.
- Accurate diagnosis of VMCs is important for differentiating them from other liver lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the imaging findings of biliary hamartomas (VMCs).
- To discuss the differential diagnosis of VMCs with other related liver diseases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of imaging findings in six patients with VMCs.
- Utilized ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and hepatobiliary scintigraphy.
Main Results:
- US revealed multiple small hyper- and hypo-echoic lesions with comet-tail echoes.
- CT showed multiple tiny hypodense lesions (<10 mm) scattered throughout the liver without enhancement.
- MRI demonstrated hyper- and hypo-intensity on T2- and T1-weighted images, respectively. MRCP showed multiple tiny irregular- and round-shaped hyper-intensity lesions.
Conclusions:
- Imaging modalities are effective for diagnosing VMCs.
- Typical imaging findings can lead to a correct diagnosis, potentially obviating the need for histological confirmation.
