Ductal Plate

The ductal plate is a sleeve of liver progenitor cells that forms around the portal vein and is the embryological precursor of the biliary system. Malformations of the ductal plate result in segmental dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and variable degrees of fibrosis.

Ductal plate malformations include:

• biliary hamartoma: Also known as a von Meyenberg complex. Usually multiple lesions that follow water attenuation or intensity on CT and MR, respectively and measure less than 1.5 cm diameter. Enhancement depends on degree of fibrous or cystic makeup. Predominantly fibrous lesions become isoattenuating to liver on enhanced images, while predominantly cystic lesions become hypoattenuating to liver on enhanced images. They may be confused with hepatic metastases on imaging, and biopsy is needed for diagnosis.
• mesenchymal hamartoma:
• autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease:
• autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease:
• hepatic cyst:
• Caroli disease: