BILIARY CYSTADENOMA AND CYSTADENOCARCINOMA - CLINICAL-IMAGING-PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION WITH EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF OVARIAN STROMA

PURPOSE: To evaluate cross-sectional imaging in the distinction of bil iary cystadenoma from cystadenocarcinoma and in the determination of t he presence of ovarian stroma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 34 patients, radiologic studies and specimen photographs and descriptions were revi ewed retrospectively without knowledge of the patient group. Histologi c features were reviewed without knowledge of the radiologic findings and analyzed for epithelial and stromal components. Correlation was ma de between the radiologic findings, gross morphologic features, intern al fluid characteristics, and histologic features. RESULTS: The 34 pat ients had 27 biliary cystadenomas, 22 with ovarian stroma, and seven c ystadenocarcinomas, four with ovarian stroma. Gross morphologic and im aging features suggestive of biliary cystadenocarcinoma included inter nal septation and nodularity. Septation without nodularity was seen on ly in biliary cystadenoma. Nonbilious fluid was the only feature assoc iated with the presence of ovarian stroma but was not distinguishable on images. CONCLUSION: Imaging studies accurately reflect the nodulari ty and septation seen grossly to distinguish biliary cystadenoma and c ystadenocarcinoma but do not allow distinction of the presence or abse nce of ovarian stroma.