Caroli's disease: magnetic resonance imaging features

Abstract

Our objective was to describe the main aspects of MR imaging in Caroli's disease. Magnetic resonance cholangiography with a dynamic contrast-enhanced study was performed in nine patients with Caroli's disease. Bile duct abnormalities, lithiasis, dot signs, hepatic enhancement, renal abnormalities, and evidence of portal hypertension were evaluated. Three MR imaging patterns of Caroli's disease were found. In all but two patients, MR imaging findings were sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. Moreover, MR imag-ing provided information about the severity, location, and extent of liver involvement. This information was useful in planning the best therapeutic strategy. Magnetic resonance cholangiography with a dynamic contrast-enhanced study is a good screening tool for Caroli's disease. Direct cholangiography should be reserved for confirming doubtful cases.

Bile duct cyst type V (Caroli's disease): surgical strategy and results

“…Although ultrasound and CT are widely used to investigate patients with CD, MRCP presents advantages to depict the entire biliary tree [13,28]. Guy et al identified three main patterns of CD in MRCP: (a) multiple cystic ectasias connected with fusiform dilatations, (b) isolated fusiform dilatations with multiple calculi and (c) solitary dilatation of the left bile ducts with cysts and multiple calculi [29]. Treatment of CD depends on the clinical features and localization of the biliary abnormality.…”

Revisiting Caroli Syndrome in a Tanzanian Patient

“…Magnetic resonance imaging can suggest accompanying abnormalities such as portal hypertension, cirrhosis and renal involvement. Magnetic resonance is the most specific and non-invasive method to depict the multiple ductal dilatation seen in Caroli disease, called the "lollipop tree", where cystic structures of different sizes, shapes and distribution freely communicate with the biliary tree [9]. ERCP is the gold standard in diagnosis in the case of fusiform dilatations of the biliary tracts.…”

Caroli’s disease: a diagnostic challenge

“…Imaging is essential in planning the surgical treatment, which can consist of enterostomy, segmental or lobar hepatic resection, or liver transplantation. 16 Because of the slow and usually silent progress of Caroli's syndrome along with its rarity and fatal complications, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent cholangitis of unknown cause. 17 We have to consider the disease complications when choosing the treatment, if liver transplantation is not available.…”