Imaging in localized intrahepatic bile duct dilatation: a pictorial review of diagnostic and differential approaches
Abstract
Localized intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (LIBD) is a prevalent radiological finding characterized by a variety of etiologies, including congenital anomalies, inflammatory conditions, hepatolithiasis, and neoplastic lesions. Accurate differential diagnosis of diseases associated with LIBD is crucial for formulating appropriate treatment strategies and improving patient prognosis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the definitions, etiologies, clinical symptoms, and key imaging features of common diseases associated with LIBD. Furthermore, it proposes a structured approach for differential diagnosis. By integrating imaging findings with clinical and laboratory data, this approach aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and assist radiologists in making optimal clinical decisions.
Key Points: Question LIBD has diverse etiologies and overlapping imaging patterns, but a practical, standardized radiological framework for differential diagnosis remains lacking.
Findings This pictorial review summarizes characteristic CT/MRI findings of common LIBD-associated diseases and establishes a stepwise diagnostic approach integrating obstruction points, morphology, and clinical information.
Critical Relevance Statement By combining specific imaging patterns with clinical context, this review provides a practical differential diagnostic framework that may improve diagnostic confidence, guide further evaluation, and facilitate earlier detection of malignant transformation in LIBD.
Related
- Case Report: Severe persistent transaminitis during pregnancy: a complex differential diagnosis involving suspected toxoplasmosis, possible drug-induced liver injury, and intrahepatic cholestasis
- Synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma and IPNB-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in a patient with resolved viral hepatitis: a case report of diagnostic pitfall and margin-negative resection
- Editorial: Frontiers in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in diabetic sensorimotor neuropathy, volume II
- Advances in Diagnostic Testing for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Current Approaches, Limitations, and Emerging Technologies
- Sarcopenia in Hospitalized Patients: A Critical Narrative Review of Diagnostic and Nutritional Management Approaches
BibTeX
@article{cen2026imaging,
title = {{Imaging in localized intrahepatic bile duct dilatation: a pictorial review of diagnostic and differential approaches}},
author = {Yongyi Cen and Xiaoqi Zhou and Mimi Tang and Yanjin Qin and Chenyu Song and Jifei Wang and Yanji Luo and Zhi Dong and Hongyan Dai and Zhibing Ruan and Zhenpeng Peng and Shi-Ting Feng},
journal = {Insights into imaging},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1186/s13244-026-02419-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13652791},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Imaging in localized intrahepatic bile duct dilatation: a pictorial review of diagnostic and differential approaches
AU - Yongyi Cen
AU - Xiaoqi Zhou
AU - Mimi Tang
AU - Yanjin Qin
AU - Chenyu Song
AU - Jifei Wang
AU - Yanji Luo
AU - Zhi Dong
AU - Hongyan Dai
AU - Zhibing Ruan
AU - Zhenpeng Peng
AU - Shi-Ting Feng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Insights into imaging
DO - 10.1186/s13244-026-02419-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13652791
AB - Localized intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (LIBD) is a prevalent radiological finding characterized by a variety of etiologies, including congenital anomalies, inflammatory conditions, hepatolithiasis, and neoplastic lesions. Accurate differential diagnosis of diseases associated with LIBD is crucial for formulating appropriate treatment strategies and improving patient prognosis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the definitions, etiologies, clinical symptoms, and key imaging features of common diseases associated with LIBD. Furthermore, it proposes a structured approach for differential diagnosis. By integrating imaging findings with clinical and laboratory data, this approach aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and assist radiologists in making optimal clinical decisions. Key Points: Question LIBD has diverse etiologies and overlapping imaging patterns, but a practical, standardized radiological framework for differential diagnosis remains lacking. Findings This pictorial review summarizes characteristic CT/MRI findings of common LIBD-associated diseases and establishes a stepwise diagnostic approach integrating obstruction points, morphology, and clinical information. Critical Relevance Statement By combining specific imaging patterns with clinical context, this review provides a practical differential diagnostic framework that may improve diagnostic confidence, guide further evaluation, and facilitate earlier detection of malignant transformation in LIBD.
SN - 1869-4101
ER -