Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma demonstrated by intraoperative cholangiography

Biliary cystadenomas are rare neoplasms usually found in the liver. These neoplasms have a strong tendency to recur and undergo malignant transformation, and so differentiating between cystadenomas and other cystic lesions of the liver is very important. We describe herein the characteristics of these neoplasms and report the first case of an intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma being demonstrated by intraoperative cholangiography. In our case, intraoperative cholangiography was very useful in differentiating a cystadenoma or cystadeno-carcinoma from other cystic mass lesions of the liver. Not only did it reveal a communication between the intrahepatic bile duct and the cystadenoma, but it also allowed obtain fluid for cytology.