ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Biliary cystadenomas (BCAs) are rare benign tumors with malignant potential. They are most commonly found in middle-aged women and are quite infrequently reported in children. Even with advanced imaging, diagnosing and distinguishing BCA from other cystic liver lesions remain challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: A 5-year-old boy was brought in by his parents to our hospital with abdominal swelling that had been persistent for a year, along with loss of appetite and weight loss. On examination, the abdomen was distended and dull on percussion. We considered mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL) as the top differential after an abdominal CT scan with contrast showed a multi-loculated cystic tumour. For both definitive diagnosis and therapy, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy with excision of the cystic mass. Surprisingly, histopathology examination of the resected specimen revealed biliary mucinous cystadenoma (BCA). CONCLUSION: Since conservative methods are associated with high recurrence rates, biliary mucinous cystic neoplasms require a high index of suspicion and should be handled with total surgical resection. In the post-operative phase, periodic surveillance imaging is recommended due to the risk of recurrence and malignant transformation.
ABSTRACT
Biliary mucinous cystadenomas are cystic neoplasms commonly mistaken for simple cysts. They are rare and generally benign tumors, often incidentally found on imaging and during unrelated surgical interventions. They tend to be slow growing though may reach symptomatic dimensions. Misdiagnosis of biliary mucinous cystadenomas may have serious consequences secondary to their potential for malignant transformation into biliary mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. Here, we review the epidemiology, etiology, pathology, diagnostic modalities, histology, and available treatment methods for mucinous cystadenomas reported in current literature.
ABSTRACT
Biliary cystadenoma is a rare biliary ductal neoplasm that usually arises in the liver and less frequently in the extrahepatic bile ducts. Clinical manifestations are non-specific; hence preoperative diagnosis depends heavily on imaging. Computed tomography, ultrasonography, angiography and cholangiogram are useful diagnostic procedures in biliary cystic tumor, but definite diagnosis depends on histologic diagnosis. Surgical resection often yields excellent results. Surgical procedures used to treat cystadenomas include: aspiration, drainage, marsupialization, and excision. If there is no evidence of metastasis, complete resection of these tumors is necessary for a complete cure. We experienced an 80-year-old man who complained of jaundice and RUQ pain. He was diagnosed as biliary mucinous cystadenoma, We confirmed our diagnosis by cholangioscopic biopsy, and performed endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST). So, we report this case and have reviewed the relevant literature as a part of our report for the subject case.
