The So-Called Bile Duct Adenoma Is a Peribiliary Gland Hamartoma

Abstract

The cell phenotype of so-called bile duct adenoma (BDA) was investigated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to two recently identified antigens (designated D10 and 1F6) extracted from human liver and cultured biliary epithelium. The acini and tubules of BDA consisted of serous and mucous cells that expressed D10 and 1F6. The intrahepatic peribiliary glands of normal liver, comprising intramural mucous glands and extramural tubuloalveolar seromucinous glands, similarly expressed D10 and 1F6 antigens. Antigen 1F6 was present in the cells forming the canals of Hering and normal bile ductules but not in interlobular and larger bile ducts. Proliferating bile ductules associated with large bile duct obstruction and alcoholic cirrhosis or the epithelia of the von Meyenberg complex and polycystic liver did not exhibit this combined profile of D10 and 1F6 expression and mucous cells. These findings suggest an origin of BDA from peribiliary glands rather than from bile ductules or ducts. Consistent with this view was our finding that 18 of the 30 BDA were spatially related to a large-calibre bile duct. Therefore, BDA, well known for its benign behavior is a small mass of disorganized but mature peribiliary gland acini and tubules within a variable amount of stroma and should properly be called a peribiliary gland hamartoma.

CD56 expression aids in the differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinomas and benign cholangiocellular lesions

“…Lesions that can be mistaken for a cholangiocelullar carcinoma are reactive neoductules and bile duct adenomas, also designated as peribiliary gland hamartomas [2,8]. The pattern of growth does not always distinguish malignant from benign ductular epithelium, as cholangiocarcinoma can be found immediately adjacent to and confluent with adjacent hepatic parenchyma.…”

Clinical and biological significance of precursor lesions of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

“…Previously synonymous with bile duct hamartoma (BDH) [49] -BDA and BDH have overlapping features -histological findings and immunohistochemical properties aid in distinguishing between the two. It has been reported that BDAs originate from peri-biliary glands and not bile ductules or ducts [50] . This finding is supported by the monoclonal antibody identification of antigens D10 and IF6 and the presence of mucin cells; a shared profile amongst peribiliary glands and BDAs but not VMCs.…”

Neoplasms of the liver

“…The ducts are usually somewhat dilated, often U-shaped or branching, and they may contain proteinaceous or bile-stained secretions. The peribiliary gland hamartoma, 34 also called bile duct adenoma, is a small, well-circumscribed mass composed of small acini and tubules set in fibrous stroma that may be loose and scanty, or dense and hyalinized ( Figure 21). There is usually some inflammation, which occasionally is considerable, and normal portal tracts are often identified in the lesion.…”