Imaging of Von Meyenburg complexes

Abstract

Von Meyenburg complexes, or biliary hamartomas, are frequently incidentally detected. They are usually easy to characterize with magnetic resonance imaging. However, in some occasions they are difficult to differentiate from other liver lesions, in particular from small liver metastases. Von Meyenburg complexes are developmental malformations of the ductal plate. They can be found in association with Caroli disease and Caroli syndrome. Like other ductal plate malformations, Von Meyenburg complexes associated with cholangiocarcinoma have been described and their relationship has been established. This review provides an update on the etiopathogenesis of Von Meyenburg complexes, illustrates the imaging features on ultrasound, CT and MRI of this condition and discusses the most common diagnostic pitfalls. The relationships between Von Meyenburg complexes and the various ductal plate malformations and the most recent literature data regarding the relationships between Von Meyenburg complexes and cholangiocarcinoma are presented.

Keywords: Bile ducts; Caroli disease; Cholangiocarcinoma; Hamartomas.