PERIBILIARY CYSTS IN CIRRHOTIC LIVER - OBSERVATION ON COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY

Background: To analyze the frequency and number of suspected peribilia ry cysts in cirrhotic liver on computed tomography (CT). Methods: Thre e hundred forty-six cases with clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis (L C) and 307 cases with clinically diagnosed non-LC were subjected to th e study. The frequency and number of suspected peribiliary cysts on CT were compared between the two groups. The existence of peribiliary cy sts was suggested when a cyst was observed around the second- to fourt h-order branches of the intrahepatic portal vein. Results: Peribiliary cysts were suggested on CT in 31 of 346 cirrhotic livers (9.0%) and 1 0 of 307 noncirrhotic livers (3.3%). This difference in the frequency of peribiliary cysts was statistically significant (chi(2), P < 0.01). Multiple peribiliary cysts were seen in 71% of cirrhotic patients wit h peribiliary cyst. The size of peribiliary cysts was smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter. Conclusion: Peribiliary cyst is radiologically observ ed more frequently in cirrhotic liver than in noncirrhotic liver and i s occasionally multiple.