S3535 Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm of the Bile Duct as a Rare Underlying Etiology to Acute Cholecystitis

Introduction: In a typical case of acute cholecystitis, performing a cholecystectomy results in the resolution of underlying symptoms in 95% of patients. The other 5% of patients have atypical origins for case presentation that may be underdiagnosed. Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) can present with vague abdominal symptoms and can occasionally be asymptomatic with diagnosis revealed through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Herein, we present the case of a relatively healthy elderly patient with IPNB manifesting with cholecystitis. Case Description/Methods: A 71-year-old man with no significant history related to the case presents with right-sided abdominal pain and fever for 3 days. He has mixed pattern of liver injury with AST and ALT elevated twice the upper limit of normal and total bilirubin of 1.2. The patient is found to have acute cholecystitis by sonography and in accordance, he underwent cholecystectomy. The intraoperative cholangiogram revealed a possible filling defect. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was recommended. This showed a 12 cm complex fluid collection at the common hepatic duct (CHD) and near segment 4 of the liver thought to represent an abscess. The common bile duct (CBD) was diffusely dilated. There was a direct communication from the cystic mass with the dilated biliary tree. Per radiology, while this could represent a ruptured abscess, intraductal biliary neoplasm should be considered. A drain was placed into the fluid collection and infectious studies were all negative. Due to diffuse left intrahepatic dilation, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was suggested. ERCP was met with expression of mucin-rich debris on biliary sweep after sphincterotomy. Cholangiogram showed a 2 cm complete filling defect of CHD and left intrahepatic. Cholangioscopy confirmed adherence of thick mucin restricted to this area. SpyBite biopsies confirmed IPNB with high-grade dysplasia. The patient underwent extrahepatic bile duct excision along with left trisegmentectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The final surgical pathology diagnosis was invasive metastatic adenocarcinoma arising from IPNB. Unfortunately for the patient, there was post-op disease progression and thus, further immunotherapy will be required. Discussion: We present an interesting case with a rare type of presentation for IPNB as acute cholecystitis with subsequent ERCP reliably revealing the diagnosis. Clinicians should be cognizant of atypical presentations for cholecystitis as the treatment for the underlying etiology may differ drastically.

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Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001141600.35631.d1
Primary Topic
Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies
Type
article
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article

S3535 Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm of the Bile Duct as a Rare Underlying Etiology to Acute Cholecystitis

Rafael Lemes de Aquino, Kshitij Thakur, Ujasbhai Patel
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies
article

S3535 Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm of the Bile Duct as a Rare Underlying Etiology to Acute Cholecystitis

Rafael Lemes de Aquino, Kshitij Thakur, Ujasbhai Patel
article en

Abstract

Introduction: In a typical case of acute cholecystitis, performing a cholecystectomy results in the resolution of underlying symptoms in 95% of patients. The other 5% of patients have atypical origins for case presentation that may be underdiagnosed. Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) can present with vague abdominal symptoms and can occasionally be asymptomatic with diagnosis revealed through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Herein, we present the case of a relatively healthy elderly patient with IPNB manifesting with cholecystitis. Case Description/Methods: A 71-year-old man with no significant history related to the case presents with right-sided abdominal pain and fever for 3 days. He has mixed pattern of liver injury with AST and ALT elevated twice the upper limit of normal and total bilirubin of 1.2. The patient is found to have acute cholecystitis by sonography and in accordance, he underwent cholecystectomy. The intraoperative cholangiogram revealed a possible filling defect. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was recommended. This showed a 12 cm complex fluid collection at the common hepatic duct (CHD) and near segment 4 of the liver thought to represent an abscess. The common bile duct (CBD) was diffusely dilated. There was a direct communication from the cystic mass with the dilated biliary tree. Per radiology, while this could represent a ruptured abscess, intraductal biliary neoplasm should be considered. A drain was placed into the fluid collection and infectious studies were all negative. Due to diffuse left intrahepatic dilation, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was suggested. ERCP was met with expression of mucin-rich debris on biliary sweep after sphincterotomy. Cholangiogram showed a 2 cm complete filling defect of CHD and left intrahepatic. Cholangioscopy confirmed adherence of thick mucin restricted to this area. SpyBite biopsies confirmed IPNB with high-grade dysplasia. The patient underwent extrahepatic bile duct excision along with left trisegmentectomy and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The final surgical pathology diagnosis was invasive metastatic adenocarcinoma arising from IPNB. Unfortunately for the patient, there was post-op disease progression and thus, further immunotherapy will be required. Discussion: We present an interesting case with a rare type of presentation for IPNB as acute cholecystitis with subsequent ERCP reliably revealing the diagnosis. Clinicians should be cognizant of atypical presentations for cholecystitis as the treatment for the underlying etiology may differ drastically.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Openalex Percentile: Top 52%
Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder Cancer Studies
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