Peribiliary cysts: a hitherto poorly recognized disease

Peribiliary cysts: uncommon mimickers of hepatic and biliary cystic lesions

Peribiliary cysts (PC) are dilatations of the extramural peribiliary glands, with a very characteristic imaging pattern in the contexts of hepatobiliary diseases, idiopathic portal hypertension, adult-type polycystic disease of the liver and kidneys, solitary nonparasitic cysts, and systemic infections. The clinical relevance of PC is related to the fact that their presence may indicate underlying pathologies (such as those mentioned above) and may be considered as a potential marker of liver disease progression. Although imaging findings are quite characteristic, recognizing their main differential diagnoses, including malignancies, can be challenging but are essential to avoiding diagnostic errors.

Imaging of Benign Hepatic lesions

As abdominal imaging volumes have increased, the incidence of incidentally identified benign hepatic lesions has substantially increased. Familiarity with imaging appearances of benign hepatic tumors, both common and less commonly encountered, allows the radiologist to give an informed differential diagnosis. In addition to clinical history, awareness of imaging findings of benign hepatic lesions on ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is useful in evaluating these lesions and avoiding unnecessary diagnostic interventions or imaging surveillance.

A case of peribiliary hepatic cysts in a cirrhotic liver: A mimicker of Klatskin Tumor

Patients with end-stage liver disease may present to healthcare facilities with features of obstructive jaundice and a picture of hilar cholangiocarcinoma on radiological imaging. Careful observation and knowledge of the presence and higher prevalence of peribiliary hepatic cysts in a cirrhotic liver can aid in differentiating this benign entity from malignancy that may halt or delay the patients’ eligibility for receiving a liver transplant. We present a case of a patient with liver cirrhosis initially diagnosed as Klatskin tumor on imaging then as a simple case of multiple peribiliary hepatic cysts with the patient eventually undergoing successful liver transplantation.

Peribiliary cysts developed in normal underlying liver: report of a case

Peribiliary cysts, known as cystic dilatation, of the extramural peribiliary glands of the bile duct are rare, and are usually detectable under conditions of pre-existing hepatobiliary diseases such as liver cirrhosis. Preoperative diagnosis is often difficult, because they are usually asymptomatic. Distinction of peribiliary cysts from premalignant or malignant cystic lesions is mandatory. Herein, we report a case of peribiliary cyst, which was preoperatively assumed as unilobar Caroli's diseases in healthy young patients and briefly discuss the management of the condition.

A case of peribiliary cyst presenting with obstructive jaundice

A 77-year-old woman with a complaint of itching was shown to have an elevated serum bilirubin level. She had no history of liver disease. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a 17-mm-diameter cystic lesion obstructing the main hepatic duct at the hepatic hilum. Drip infusion cholangiographic computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed that the cyst did not communicate with the biliary tree; thus, a peribiliary cyst was diagnosed. Cystectomy was performed, and the jaundice resolved. Peribiliary cysts are generally asymptomatic and rarely cause obstructive jaundice. They are usually multiple and caused by an underlying liver disorder with a poor prognosis. Our case suggests that peribiliary cysts can arise in healthy liver and cause symptoms. Cystectomy is the treatment of choice if the cyst is solitary.

Peribiliary cysts associated with severe liver disease: a previously unrecognized tumor in a lion (Panthera leo)

A 13-year-old male lion (Panthera leo) from Dae Jeon Zoo, Republic of Korea, presented with clinical signs of lethargy and anorexia. Despite treatment with antibiotics and fluid therapy, the lion died 6 days after initial presentation. Postmortem examination revealed multiple masses measuring 5-10 cm in diameter and cysts throughout the liver. A diagnosis of spontaneous peribiliary cysts was made on the basis of microscopic lesions as well as special staining and immunohistochemical characteristics. Histologically, the neoplasm was surrounded and composed of compact collagenous tissue. The inner cystic single layer resembled biliary mucosa and was composed of cuboidal or flattened epithelial lining that was strongly immunopositive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3. This layer was surrounded by fibrous tissue that stained blue by Masson's trichrome staining. Given the presence of multiple organized cysts in the liver, the lesion was consistent with peribiliary cysts. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of peribiliary cysts in an animal.

Multiple hepatic peribiliary cysts in a young pig

Histopathologic features of hepatic peribiliary cysts were described in a young slaughtered pig. The animal was an apparently healthy 6-month-old pig of mixed breed. Macroscopically, all lobes of the liver contained numerous cysts of varying size containing serous fluid in all lobes. Histopathologically, the cysts were located mainly around the large bile duct and in the connective tissue of the portal tracts. Within serial sections, these cysts were assumed to be solitary or multilocular, but they were separated from the bile duct. The cysts were lined by a single layer of columnar, cuboidal, and flattened epithelial cells. Occasionally, goblet cells were observed. The epithelial cells were stained with periodic acid-Schiff/alcian blue and high-iron diamine/alcian blue, indicating the presence of neutral mucin, sialomucin, and sulfomucin. Grimalius' method revealed the presence of endocrine cells in the lining epithelium. There was no bile pigment in the cysts by the Hall method.

An autopsy case of obstructive jaundice due to hepatic multiple peribiliary cysts accompanying hepatolithiasis

A 73-year-old Japanese male, who had a history of alcoholic cirrhosis, was admitted to Saga University Hospital to receive treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient was treated to maintain his liver function, however, the total bilirubin level continued to increase gradually. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated an obstruction of the bilateral intrahepatic ducts. Although endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was performed, the patient died two months after admission. At the autopsy, multiple peribiliary cysts were found to almost completely obstruct the bilateral intrahepatic bile ducts. In addition, hepatolithiasis was found in the right hepatic duct. To date, only a few such cases of multipleperibiliary cysts with obstructive jaundice have been reported, and no such case accompanied by hepatolithiasis. It is also important to note that all the reported cases resulted in a poor prognosis. We herein report a very rare autopsy case with obstructive jaundice due to multiple peribiliary cysts accompanying hepatolithiasis. Generally, multiple peribiliary cysts are considered to be clinically harmless, but once they cause obstructive jaundice, their presence suggests the occurrence of end-stage cirrhosis and a poor prognosis.

A case of peribiliary cysts accompanying bile duct carcinoma

A rare case of peribiliary cysts accompanying bile duct carcinoma is presented. A 54-year-old man was diagnosed as having lower bile duct carcinoma and peribiliary cysts by diagnostic imaging. He underwent pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. As for the peribiliary cysts, a course of observation was taken. Over surgery due to misdiagnosis of patients with biliary malignancy accompanied by peribiliary cysts should be avoided.