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Imaging mimickers of cholangiocarcinoma: a pictorial review

Abdominal Radiology volume 47, pages 981–997 (2022)Cite this article

A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 26 February 2022

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary hepatobiliary malignancy and presents as three separate morphological subtypes; namely mass-forming, periductal-infiltrating, and intraductal-growing patterns. Each of these subtypes have distinct imaging characteristics, as well as a variety of benign and malignant mimics, making accurate diagnosis of CCA on imaging challenging. Whilst histopathological examination is required to arrive at a definitive diagnosis, it is still important for radiologists to be cognizant of these entities and provide reasonable differential diagnoses, as these potentially have a large impact on patient management. This pictorial essay illustrates the three morphological subtypes of CCA, as well as some important mimics for each subtype, that are encountered in clinical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore

    Si Min Chiow, Hau Wei Khoo, Cher Heng Tan & Hsien Min Low

  2. Department of General Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore

    Jee Keem Low

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Chiow, S.M., Khoo, H.W., Low, J.K. et al. Imaging mimickers of cholangiocarcinoma: a pictorial review. Abdom Radiol 47, 981–997 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-021-03399-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-021-03399-9

Keywords

  • Cholangiocarcinoma mimickers
  • Mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma
  • Periductalinfiltrating cholangiocarcinoma
  • Intraductal-growing cholangiocarcinoma