Asymptomatic hepatobiliary cystadenoma of the hepatic caudate lobe: a case report

Diagnosis and treatment of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma

AIM: To explore the clinical features of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma, so as to raise awareness of the disease and reduce the misdiagnosis rate.

METHODS: Clinical data for 11 intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma patients treated from January 2009 to August 2013 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical manifestations, imaging features, surgical and pathological characteristics were summarized.

RESULTS: There were one male (age, 49 years) and 10 females (mean age, 54.5 years±2.0 years). Main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain and discomfort, and two cases had jaundice. Imaging data showed intrahepatic bile duct dilatation and cystic or solid mass lesions; one patient had gallstones, two had intrahepatic bile duct stones, and two had gallbladder polyps. Pathological examinations showed five cases of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma, two cases of mucinous cystadenoma, two cases of papillary cystadenoma, and two cases of borderline cystadenoma. All patients underwent complete surgical resection, and no recurrence was observed during follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma often occurs in middle-aged women, and its clinical manifestations are not specific. Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can help improve the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of the disease. Complete resection is recommended for the treatment of this disease.