Mucin-producing cystic hepatobiliary neoplasms: Key diagnostic information for radiologists

Mucin-producing cystic hepatobiliary neoplasms are rare neoplasms which include mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the bile duct. Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver are characterised by the presence of ovarian-like stroma, and are usually benign. They present as large, multiloculated, cystic masses without biliary communication and are more common among middle-aged women. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the bile duct are premalignant lesions originating in the bile duct and presenting with biliary communication. There are 3 growth patterns: cystic, duct-ectatic and mass-forming. They tend to appear between the ages of 50 and 70, with no gender predilection. There is a high probability of malignancy, so segment-oriented hepatic resection is the treatment of choice. Both entities have overlapping and distinctive features, and it is important for the radiologist to be aware of these and be able to distinguish between them, as they have different prognoses and require different management approaches.