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[Von Meyenburg Complexes or Biliary Hamartomas: A Case Report]
Rosángela Ramírez Barranco1, Carmen Yanette Suárez Quintero1, Fredy Ávila Almanza1
1Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogotá, Colombia. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá Colombia.
Introduction:
. Von Meyenburg complexes or biliary hamartomas are a rare benign congenital anomaly of the intrahepatic bile ducts. They are usually asymptomatic and incidentally found on imaging studies but can cause jaundice, abdominal pain, and cholangitis.
Case Report:
. An 80-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department due to progressive jaundice associated with pruritus, with an altered hepatogram and a cholestasis pattern. Imaging studies were performed in which there were no alterations in the liver parenchyma or bile ducts. A liver biopsy was performed, which revealed perivenular canalicular cholestasis and the presence of von Meyenburg complexes. The patient was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid with normalization of cholestasis at outpatient follow-up.
Conclusion:
. The diagnosis of biliary hamartomas should be considered in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis in whom the etiology is not identified by initial studies. They represent a diagnostic challenge as they are not always seen in imaging studies.
Insights
Von Meyenburg complexes, a rare benign liver anomaly, can cause cholestasis. Diagnosis requires considering these biliary hamartomas when other causes are unclear, as imaging may not always detect them.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Von Meyenburg complexes, also known as biliary hamartomas, are rare congenital anomalies of intrahepatic bile ducts.
- Typically asymptomatic, they can present with symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, and cholangitis.
