What are biliary hamartomas?
Biliary duct hamartomas, otherwise known as Von Meyenburg complexes, are dilated cystic bile ducts, which are embryologic remnants that failed to involute during the period of embryogenesis. They are typically small (less than 5mm) and present as multiple lesions scattered throughout the liver.
What is biliary hematoma?
Biliary hamartoma is a benign congenital malformation of the biliary duct which was described for the first time in 1918 by von Mayenburg [1], therefore it is also called von Mayenburg complex (VMCs). Although jaundice and portal hypertension may arise as a result of mass effect, patients are usually asymptomatic [2].
What is liver hamartoma?
Liver hamartoma is a rare type of benign tumor which usually occurs in the first few years of life. Although it is the second most common benign tumor in childhood, only about 100 cases have been reported in the English literature. Thus, it is extremely rare to encounter liver hamartoma in adults.
What are Von Meyenburg complexes?
Von Meyenburg Complexes (VMCs) is a rare clinicopathologic entity, consisting of small (<1.5cm), usually multiple and nodular cystic lesions. VMCs typically cause no symptoms or disturbances in liver function and thus in most instances they are diagnosed incidentally.
Do hamartomas grow?
Hamartomas are noncancerous growths that can appear anywhere on the body. While seen as harmless, these benign tumors can grow to large sizes and cause pressure on surrounding tissues. Depending on where they grow externally or internally, hamartomas can cause life-threatening symptoms.
Can a hamartoma go away on its own?
In some cases, hamartomas grow internally in places such as the heart, brain, and lungs. Hamartomas sometimes disappear over time and show little to no symptoms. But in more severe cases, and depending on where they have grown, these growths can have serious complications.
Do liver cysts keep growing?
The cause of most liver cysts is unknown. Liver cysts can be present at birth or can develop at a later time. They usually grow slowly and are not detected until adulthood.