The purpose of this educational poster is to characterize the MSCT features of cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma is an epithelial cell malignancy arising from varying locations within the biliary tree showing markers of cholangiocyte differentiation. The most contemporary classification based on anatomical location includes intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), and distal (dCCA) cholangiocarcinoma, exclusive of gallbladder and ampulla of Vater.1 The incidence of iCCA appears to be increasing and may be as high as 2.1 per 100,000 person years in Western Countries.2 iCCA may occur in patients with normal liver or with underlying liver disease, and in either clinical context usually is...

The purpose of radiological imaging in patients with suspected or known cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is tumour detection, to establish the presence or abscene of satellite nodules or distant metastases, lesion characterization and assessment of resectability (tumour’s relationship to the hepatic veins, inferior vena cava, the hepatic inflow pedicles and the biliary tree.4-7 Different imaging modalities are implemented complementary in the diagnostic work-up. Non-invasive imaging should be performed prior to invasive biliary procedures in order to avoid false positive results, including tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen...

The clinical presentation of cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) is non-specific and insufficient to establish a diagnosis. Direct visualization of the bile duct with directed biopsy is ideal.28 The initial study is usually a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or a multiphasic contrast-enhanced multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). The staging evaluation starts with MDCT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis, with or without MRCP, precontrast and triphasic phase, including late arterial phase, hepatic venous phase, and equilibrium phase scanning. The typical morphological appearance is that...

1. Razumilava N, Gores G.J. Cholangiocarinoma. Lancet 2014 Jun 21;383(9935): 2168-79. 2. Yang, J.D., Kim, B., Sanderson, S.O., Sauver, J.S., Yawn, B.P., Larson, J.J. et al,Biliary tract cancers in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1976–2008.Am J Gastroenterol.2012;107:1256–1262. 3. Razumilava, N., Gores, G.J. Classification, diagnosis, and management of cholangiocarcinoma. ClinGastroenterolHepatol. 2013;11:13–21 4. Yamasaki S. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: macroscopic type and stage classification.J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg.2003;10:288–91. 5. Ringe K.I., Wacker F. Radiological diagnosis in cholangiocarcinoma: Application of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. Gastroenterology 2015;29(2):253-65. 6. Papafragkakis...