Cystic dilatation of obstructed periductal glands of bile ducts

Retention cyst of peribiliary gland

Well-defined, cystic structures adjacent to portal triads

Usually multiple; discrete, round/oval/tubular, or confluent configuration

Variable size, from 2 mm to 2 cm

Smooth and thin walls without internal echoes

No enhancement of contents on CECT or MR

Nonopacification with direct cholangiography or hepatobiliary-phase MR using hepatocyte-specific contrast agent

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  Do not communicate with biliary tree

Biliary ductal dilatation

Caroli disease

Hepatic autosomal dominant polycystic disease

Periportal edema/inflammation

Disturbed portal venous flow, periductal fibrosis, and inflammation → obliteration of neck of peribiliary glands → formation of retention cyst

Associated with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, portal vein thrombosis, liver transplantation

Peribiliary cysts are typically asymptomatic; symptoms often related to underlying liver disease

Obstructive jaundice may occur in end-stage liver cirrhosis or as complication of postliver transplantation

May increase in size and number of cysts as cirrhosis progresses

Do not confuse peribiliary cysts for biliary ductal dilatation