Benign biliary pathologies include a wide array of congenital and acquired disorders and may present with acute or chronic courses [1].

Almost every radiologist in real-world practice encounters these pathologies. Evaluation protocols, clinical guidelines, and imaging modalities of such pathologies have evolved in the past two decades and require regular updating. Even routinely encountered pathologies, such as cholecystitis, may pose diagnostic challenges in some patients despite using cutting-edge technology, knowledge, and imaging tools [2].

In some cases, biliary pathologies with or without liver parenchymal involvement are discovered incidentally in otherwise clinically asymptomatic patients or during cholestatic patient workups. These pathologies may present with overlapping clinical and laboratory findings [3]. However, their etiopathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis may be quite different. Most pathologies require extensive laboratory tests and liver biopsies to establish a diagnosis. However, with the recent evolution of novel MRI techniques, specific diagnoses may be made exclusively through imaging [4]. Some chronic benign pathologies may develop into malignancies, and modern imaging may also assist in their diagnosis.

Benign biliary pathologies may occasionally mimic malignancies on imaging. Radiologists should know the imaging pitfalls and challenges and how to address them without over-calling a malignancy or initiating a battery of unwarranted investigations.

In this special issue on benign biliary pathologies, we present both common and uncommon benign biliary pathologies that may offer practical implications for radiologists.

Serving as guest editors on this special issue is an honor and privilege. We thank all the authors and members of the disease-focused panel on Benign Biliary Pathologies for their outstanding contributions. We also thank the Society of Abdominal Radiology for providing an international platform to share our work with the radiology fraternity.

We are grateful to Dr. Daniel Johnson, Editor-in-Chief of Abdominal Radiology, for this incredible opportunity. This special edition could not have been possible without his support and guidance.

We hope this special edition on benign biliary pathologies will be a valuable resource for practicing radiologists worldwide.