Hepatocelluar carcinoma presenting as a biliary duct tumor thrombus is a relatively rare entity, with poor prognosis. The primary clinical manifestation of this disease is obstructive jaundice, which can often be misdiagnosed. A 59-year-old female patient was admitted with sudden onset of abdominal pain. Laboratory tests suggested obstructive jaundice, and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the upper abdomen did not show obvious biliary dilatation. Endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography suggested an occupying lesion in the upper bile duct. SpyGlass and biopsy finally confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma with right hepatic duct tumor thrombus hemorrhage. The SpyGlass Direct Visualization System, as an advanced biliary cholangioscopy device, showed the advantages of single-person operation as well as easy access to and visualization of the lesion.
Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnostic imaging* ; Jaundice, Obstructive/etiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Hepatic Duct, Common/pathology* ; Thrombosis/complications* ; Hemorrhage/complications*

A 50-year-old woman complained of jaundice and dyspepsia that started 2 weeks prior to consultation. Abdomen-pelvic computed tomography showed a 3 cm mass in the right hepatic duct with central calcification, which was spreading into the second branch. Repeated biopsies through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were needed for pathology, which was consistent with an adenocarcinoma. Imaging studies including positron emission tomography showed no evidence of distant metastasis. The patient underwent right lobectomy with bile duct resection. The final diagnosis was intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with central calcification. We reported a very rare case of centrally calcified mass growing in the second branch of the right hepatic duct. The possibility of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with central calcification should be considered for differential diagnosis of intrahepatic calcification.
Adenocarcinoma ; Bile Ducts ; Biopsy ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dyspepsia ; Female ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Biliary papillomatosis is rare, and its pathogenic mechanisms are not yet clear. Because of its high risk for malignancy transformation, surgical resection is regarded as a standard treatment. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used by the intravenous administration of hematoporphyrin derivative followed by laser exposure. A photochemical process causes disturbance of the microvascular structure and degradation of membrane. Cholangitis is a major complication after PDT. A healthy 56-year-old man was diagnosed with biliary papillomatosis involving the common hepatic duct, both proximal intrahepatic bile ducts (IHD), and the right posterior IHD. After biliary decompression by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, PDT was performed to avoid extensive liver resection and recurrence using endoscopic retrograde cholangiographic guidance. After portal vein embolization, the patient underwent extended right hemihepatectomy. Following administration of chemoradiation therapy with tegafur-uracil and 45 Gy due to local recurrence at postoperative 13 months, there was no local recurrence or distant metastases. This is the first case report on PDT for biliary papillomatosis in Korea. Preoperative PDT is beneficial for reducing the lesion in diffuse or multifocal biliary papillomatosis and may lead to curative and volume reserving surgery. Thus, PDT could improve the quality of life and prolong life expectation for biliary papillomatosis patients.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/drug therapy/surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Gamma Rays ; Hepatectomy ; Hepatic Duct, Common/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Papilloma/*diagnosis/drug therapy/surgery ; Photochemotherapy ; Tegafur/therapeutic use ; Uracil/therapeutic use

Neuroendocrine tumors of the extrahepatic biliary tree are extremely rare malignancies accounting for 0.2-2.0% of all gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors obstructing the biliary tree are extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively and nearly impossible to differentiate from cholangiocarcinoma. Statistically, the most common anatomic location in the biliary tree is the common bile duct, followed by the perihilar region. Herein, we present a case of a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the hilum in a 79-year-old man following laparotomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of small cell type neuroendocrine carcinoma of hilar bile duct reported in Korea.
Aged ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hepatic Duct, Common/pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

As recent advances in chemotherapy and surgical treatment have improved outcomes in patients with biliary cancers, the search for an optimal strategy for relief of their obstructive jaundice has become even more important. Without satisfactory relief of biliary obstruction, many patients would be ineligible for treatment. We review all prospective randomized trials and recent retrospective non-randomized studies for evidence that would support such a strategy. For distal malignant biliary obstruction, an optimal strategy would be insertion of metallic stents either endoscopically or percutaneously. Evidence shows that a metallic stent inserted percutaneously has better outcomes than plastic stents inserted endoscopically. For malignant hilar obstruction, percutaneous biliary drainage with or without metallic stents is preferred.
Bile Duct Neoplasms/pathology/surgery ; Biliary Tract Diseases/pathology/*surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma/pathology/surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; Drainage/methods ; Endoscopy ; *Evidence-Based Medicine ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive/pathology/*surgery ; Klatskin's Tumor/pathology/surgery ; Stents

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been used to evaluate bile duct stone. But, the routine use of IOC remains controversial. With routine IOC during LC, we reviewed the variation of hepatic duct confluence and try to suggest the diagnostic criteria of asymptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stone. METHODS: We reviewed the medical record of 970 consecutive patients who underwent LC with IOC from January 1999 to December 2009, retrospectively. RESULTS: Nine hundered seventy patients were enrolled. IOC were successful in 957 (98.7%) and unsuccessful in 13 (1.3%). Eighty two of 957 patients (8.2%) were excluded because of no or poor radiologic image. According to Couinaud's classification, 492 patients (56.2%) had type A hepatic duct confluence, 227 patients (26.1%) type B, 15 patients (17%) type C1, 43 patients (4.9%) type C2, 72 patients (8.2%) type D1, 21 patients (2.4%) type D2, 1 patient (0.1%) type E1, 1 patient (0.1%) type E2, 2 patients (0.2%) type F, and 1 patient (0.1%) no classified type. The CBD stone was found in 116 of 970 (12.2%) patients. In 281 patients, preoperative serologic and radiologic tests did not show abnormality. When preoperative findings were not remarkable, there was no difference of clinical features between patients with or without CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: Although IOC during LC has some demerits, it is a safe and accurate method for the detection of CBD stone and the anatomic variation of intrahepatic duct.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Mass Index ; Cholangiography ; *Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Female ; Gallstones/*diagnosis/pathology ; Hepatic Duct, Common/anatomy & histology/*radiography ; Humans ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Obstructive jaundice by vascular compression is rare. The causative arteries were identified as the right hepatic artery, gastroduodenal artery, cystic artery, proper hepatic artery, and an unspecified branch of the common hepatic artery. Also the venous system, such as enlarging collateral veins in cases of portal hypertension was a causative vessel. Herein, we describe a case of a proximal choledocholithiasis due to compression of the common bile duct by right hepatic artery originated from gastroduodenal artery. Final diagnosis and treatment were achieved through an operation.
Cholangiography ; Common Bile Duct/blood supply/*pathology/surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; *Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive/*diagnosis/etiology/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Caroli's syndrome is a rare congenital disorder that involves intrahepatic bile duct ectasia and congenital hepatic fibrosis, frequently seen with concomitant autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Literature on infants with ARPKD is rare. Here, we present a case of a two month old boy who was diagnosed with Caroli's syndrome and ARPKD.
Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Recessive/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Kidney/ultrasonography ; Infant ; Humans ; Hepatic Duct, Common/pathology/ultrasonography ; Caroli Disease/complications/*diagnosis/pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of extrahepatic control on blood flow of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava in hepatectomy, and observe its effect on minimizing hemorrhage.

METHODSFrom 2001 to April 2003, 33 patients who had liver tumors involving segment IV, VII, VIII or half liver underwent major hepatectomies that required exposure of the inferior vena cava and main trunks of hepatic veins, during which the major hepatic veins and inferior vena cava were isolated and taped to control blood flow when necessary.

RESULTSIn 33 attempts, 32 were successful and all tumors were resected successfully. The placement of occlusion tape was unsuccessful in 1 case. 7 cases did not need blood transfusion during operation. The amount of blood transfusion for other cases were form 0 to 1 600 ml. there was no operative mortality.

CONCLUSIONSAppropriate control of main truck of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava is effective in reducing blood loss during hepatectomies. It is also very helpful for performing difficult hepatectomies.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; surgery ; Hepatic Veins ; surgery ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; surgery

We report here on a case of extrahepatic biliary cystadenoma arising from the common hepatic duct. A 42-year-old woman was evaluated by us to find the cause of her jaundice. Ultrasonography and CT showed a cystic dilatation of the common hepatic duct and also marked dilatation of the intrahepatic duct. Direct cholangiography demonstrated a large filling defect between the left hepatic duct and the common hepatic duct; dilatation of the intrahepatic duct was also demonstrated. Following excision of the cystic mass, it was pathologically confirmed as a unilocular biliary mucinous cystadenoma arising from the common hepatic duct.
Adult ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Choledochal Cyst/*diagnosis ; Cystadenoma/*diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hepatic Duct, Common/*pathology/radiography/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography, Interventional