To study the clinical features of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma (BCA), with the aim to improve its treatment results.

The clinical data and follow-up results of 86 patients with BCA treated at our department from March 2010 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 86 patients, there were 15 males and 71 females, with age of (48.4±13.1) years old. According to the surgical procedures carried out, 44 patients were divided into the minimally invasive group and 42 into the open group. Clinical data including imaging data, blood biochemistry, and tumor markers were collected. The follow-up data of these patients was collected in outpatient clinics or by telephone review.

Of 86 patients, 19(22.1%) patients had a monocystic lesion while 67(77.9%) patients had a multicystic lesion, 64 patients (74.4%) had intracapsular segregation, and 12(14.0%) patients had solid structures. Eighty-six patients with BCA were misdiagnosed as hepatic cysts in 9 patients (10.4%), hepatic echinococcosis in 2 patients (2.3%), biliary hamartoma in 1 patient (1.2%), and hepatic hemangioma in 1 patient (1.2%) before surgery. The tumor size [(6.5±3.2) vs. (9.0±4.0) cm], operative time [115(88, 185) vs. 195(160, 254) min], intraoperative blood loss [50(20, 162) vs. 300(200, 600) ml], and postoperative hospital stay [4(3, 6) vs. 8(7, 10) d] were significantly lower in the minimally invasive group than the open group. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the 73 patients with complete follow-up, (median follow-up 63.5 months), 4 patients had developed tumor recurrence.

Intrahepatic bile duct cystadenoma lacks specific clinical manifestations, and has a high rate of misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Early radical hepatectomy improved clinical outcomes.

Diagnosis, differential; Prognosis; Intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma; Hepatic cystic lesion