Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct: review of updated clinicopathological and imaging characteristics

Abstract

Abstract Background Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) is a relatively rare disease and is known as one of the premalignant lesions in the biliary tract. The concept of IPNB has changed through numerous studies and is still evolving. As a lesser studied clinical entity compared with its pancreatic counterpart, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, IPNB has been described in many similar terms, including biliary papillomatosis, biliary intraductal papillary–mucinous neoplasm, and papillary cholangiocarcinoma. This is based on the diversity of histopathological spectrum of IPNB. Methods This review investigated previous studies including original articles, case studies, and expert opinions. Recently, two types of IPNB (types 1 and 2) have been proposed and validated based on the content first established in the WHO 2010 criteria. Results This review provides a comprehensive analysis of existing literature, summarizing the clinical, radiological, morphological, and pathological characteristics of IPNB. Conclusion Given the ongoing ambiguity and controversies surrounding IPNB, future research, including large population-based studies and molecular investigations, is essential to enhance understanding of this disease.