Liver: Imaging Approach and Differential Diagnosis

Fibropolycystic Disorders

Anomalies may occur during the embryologic development of the ductal plate that surrounds the portal vein in fetal life. Depending on the stage of fetal development at which these defects occur, a variety of common and uncommon abnormalities of the liver and biliary tree may result, including congenital hepatic fibrosis, polycystic liver disease, Caroli disease , and biliary hamartomas .

With advancing age, the liver may undergo some loss of volume, resulting in widened fissures and lobulation of its contour. These "senescent" changes may be misinterpreted as evidence of cirrhosis.