A Pitfall in the Diagnosis of Unresectable Liver Metastases: Multiple Bile Duct Hamartomas (von Meyenburg Complexes)

Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2009 Jul 31;3(2):198-201. doi: 10.1159/000220819.

Abstract

Von Meyenburg complexes (VMC) are a cluster of benign liver malformations including biliary cystic lesions, with congenital fibrocollagenous stroma. This rare entity can mimick multiple secondary hepatic lesions. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman who had multiples liver lesions 12 years after operation for breast cancer. Biopsy of the hepatic lesion confirmed the diagnosis of VMC. Preoperative discovery of multiple gray-white nodular lesions scattered on the surface of the liver should not always contraindicate curative liver resection. The diagnosis of VMC should be known and confirmed with liver biopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports