Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst: radiologic features.

Ciliated hepatic foregut cysts (CHFCs) are solitary unilocular cysts in the liver that are histologically similar to bronchogenic cysts. Three cases of CHFC are reported that demonstrated radiologic features similar to those of solid masses. All the lesions were smaller than 3 cm in diameter and were subcapsular. At ultrasonography, one lesion appeared anechoic but the other two were hypoechoic. Unenhanced computed tomography demonstrated the lesions to be hyperattenuating or isoattenuating relative to surrounding liver parenchyma, and no lesions enhanced with administration of contrast material. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in one case and demonstrated the lesion to be markedly hyperintense with a spin-echo (SE) 2,500/80 (repetition time msec/echo time msec) sequence. All the lesions were resected and found to be filled with viscous mucinous fluid. The CHFCs are not neoplasms and must be differentiated from cystic neoplasms and hypovascular solid tumors. When a subcapsular lesion demonstrated the varied appearance described, a diagnosis of CHFC should be considered.