Giant biliary cystadenoma: Case report and literature review

Biliary cystadenoma is a very rare cystic neoplasm of the liver. This tumor is insidiously progressive and usually presents in white females in their fifth decade. It has a characteristic appearance on ultrasound, computed to mography, and angiography. The exact etiology of these tumors is unknown, b ut several theories have been proposed. Historically these cystic tumors ha ve been treated by a variety of techniques including aspiration, fenestrati on, internal drainage, and resection. Previously reported series have confi rmed a >90 percent recurrence rate with anything less than complete excisio n. In addition biliary cystadenoma is a premalignant lesion and only surgic al excision can differentiate it from its malignant counterpart, biliary cy stadenocarcinoma.