A rare but important cause of focal hepatic lesions

Case Report: Microbubble Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Characteristics of Multiple Biliary Hamartomas (von Meyenberg Complexes)

“…Microscopically, the nodules are well circumscribed, located in or near portal tracts and are dilated, tortuous, irregular bile ducts lined by cuboidal biliary epithelium. The angiographic, 10 CT, 11 MR 12 and US 8,9,[13][14][15] appearances of biliary hamartomas have been previously described, with no specific feature found characteristic of a biliary hamartoma. Interestingly, there is variation in the US description of these biliary hamartomas.…”

“…However, the common description is that of hypo-echoic lesions, as described in the present case. 8,9,15 In order to allow a non-invasive method such as US to further differentiate biliary hamartomas from metastatic disease, with the associated poor prognosis, and to potentially avoid a liver biopsy, we have administered microbubble contrast. However, we have not been able to demonstrate a clear characteristic feature to enable a non-invasive US diagnosis to be made.…”