Multiple biliary hamartomas - von Meyenburg complexes

Case contributed by Philippe Goldstein , 14 Oct 2013
Diagnosis almost certain
Changed by Mostafa Elfeky, 2 Apr 2021

Updates to Case Attributes

Body was changed:

Appearances are consistent with multiple biliary hamartomas (Von Meyenburg complexes). MRCP is important to differentiate from other biliary disorders (Caroli(Caroli's disease) to prove or disprove communication with the biliary tree.

Multiple biliary hamartomas (Von Meyenburg complexes) do not communicate with the biliary tree on MRCP or ERCP. Hepatic cysts are usually solitary, may be multiple in ADPLD with usually multiple cysts kidneys and other organs. The hepatic cysts appear anaechoicanechoic on ultrasonography. Caroli's disease showshows multiple cysts communicating with the biliary tree with a "central dot" sign on CECT representing enhancing tiny dots (portal radicles) within dilated cystic cystic intrahepatic ducts. 

  • -<p>Appearances are consistent with multiple biliary hamartomas (Von Meyenburg complexes). MRCP is important to differentiate from other biliary disorders (Caroli's disease) to prove or disprove communication with the biliary tree.</p><p>Multiple biliary hamartomas (Von Meyenburg complexes) do not communicate with the biliary tree on MRCP or ERCP. Hepatic cysts are usually solitary, may be multiple in ADPLD with usually multiple cysts kidneys and other organs. The hepatic cysts appear anaechoic on ultrasonography. Caroli's disease show multiple cysts communicating with the biliary tree with "central dot" sign on CECT representing enhancing tiny dots (portal radicles) within dilated cystic intrahepatic ducts. </p>
  • +<p>Appearances are consistent with multiple biliary hamartomas (Von Meyenburg complexes). MRCP is important to differentiate from other biliary disorders (<a title="Caroli's disease" href="/articles/caroli-syndrome-1">Caroli's disease</a>) to prove or disprove communication with the biliary tree.</p><p>Multiple biliary hamartomas (Von Meyenburg complexes) do not communicate with the biliary tree on MRCP or ERCP. Hepatic cysts are usually solitary, may be multiple in ADPLD with usually multiple cysts kidneys and other organs. The hepatic cysts appear anechoic on ultrasonography. Caroli's disease shows multiple cysts communicating with the biliary tree with a "central dot" sign on CECT representing enhancing tiny dots (portal radicles) within dilated cystic intrahepatic ducts. </p>

References changed:

  • 1. Song JS, Noh SJ, Cho BH et-al. Multicystic biliary hamartoma of the liver. Korean J Pathol. 2013;47 (3): 275-8. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2013.47.3.275">doi:10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2013.47.3.275</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3701824">Free text at pubmed</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23837021">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
  • 2. Lung PF, Jaffer OS, Akbar N et-al. Appearances of von meyenburg complex on cross sectional imaging. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2013;3 (1): 22. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2156-7514.112804">doi:10.4103/2156-7514.112804</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3690706">Free text at pubmed</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23814694">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
  • Song JS, Noh SJ, Cho BH et-al. Multicystic biliary hamartoma of the liver. Korean J Pathol. 2013;47 (3): 275-8. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2013.47.3.275">doi:10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2013.47.3.275</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3701824">Free text at pubmed</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23837021">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
  • Lung PF, Jaffer OS, Akbar N et-al. Appearances of von meyenburg complex on cross sectional imaging. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2013;3 (1): 22. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/2156-7514.112804">doi:10.4103/2156-7514.112804</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3690706">Free text at pubmed</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23814694">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>

Updates to Study Attributes

Findings was changed:

Multiple peripheral small liver cysts, some with internal septae, not connected with biliary tract. Otherwise liver is normal in size and signal.

Left kidney unusual cysts, with fluid-fluid level and one of them is complete hypointense on T2.

Images Changes:

Image MRI (T2) ( update )

Description was removed:
Multiple small liver cysts, some with tiny septa. Otherwise liver is normal in size and signal. Left kidney unusual cysts (more common on US).

Image MRI (T2 - MIP) ( update )

Description was removed:
Cysts not connected with biliary tracts.
Specifics was set to T2 - MIP.

Image MRI (T2) ( update )

Specifics was set to T2.

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