Biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma in patients operated for liver hydatid cysts: a retrospective clinical study and literature review

Abstract

Introduction. Biliary cystadenoma (BCA) and biliary cystadenocarcinoma (BCAC) are rare, unusual lesions, that most commonly appear in the right lobe of the liver. Clinical and radiological findings are very similar with liver hydatid cysts. Therefore, the differential diagnosis with liver hydatid cyst (LHC) is usually made by pathological examination, postoperatively. The objective of the study was to detect the prevalence of BCA and BCAC in patients who were treated for hydatid cysts. Material and methods. Data of 720 cases with operated liver hydatid cysts (LHC) at the General Surgery Clinics of Seyhan State Hospital Adana, Turkey, and Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus, were retrospectively reviewed. The study included 10 patients with BCA and two patients with BCAC, who were operated with a preliminary diagnosis of liver hydatid cyst. Results. Of the 12 patients included in the study, 5 were male and 7 were female. The mean age of the patients was 43.58 years. All patients were pre-diagnosed with liver hydatid cyst after preoperative laboratory and radiological evaluations and all underwent partial cystectomy. The results of histopathological examination showed that 10 of these patients had BCA and two had BCAC. The mean follow–up was 28.4 months. During this period, recurrence was seen in 3 out of 10 patients with BCA and total cystectomy was performed in these 3 patients. Two patients with BCAC underwent right hepatectomy. Conclusions. The follow-up and evaluation of the histopathological results are very important in patients operated with the diagnosis of liver hydatid cyst. Cases with biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma, which are difficult to detect, especially in the preoperative period, should be re-evaluated and complementary operations should be performed.

Keywords

• hydatid cyst
• biliary cystadenoma
• biliary cystadenocarcinoma