Differential features of some unusual biliary tumors

Retroperitoneal granular cell tumor. Computed tomography findings with 5-year follow-up

We describe the computed tomography (CT) appearance of an unusual, large retroperitoneal granular cell tumor and provide a 5-year follow-up. The tumor occurred in association with multiple, smaller, subcutaneous granular cell tumors. The CT findings were nonspecific, but the scans delineated the extent of the lesion and its relationship to adjacent vessels well. To our knowledge, this report is the first description of the CT appearance of retroperitoneal granular cell tumor in the medical literature.

Endodermal sinus tumour associated with benign teratoma of the common bile duct

We report a 5-year-old boy with endodermal sinus tumour associated with benign cystic teratoma of the common bile duct (CBD). To our knowledge, there has been one case of teratoma of the CBD in the English literature with no morphological or radiological description. Our case presented a lobulated polypoid mass obstructing the distal CBD on sonography and computed tomography, which resembled the botryoid masses of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Carcinoid tumor of the bile duct: case report

Carcinoid tumor of the bile duct is extremely rare. Ten cases have been reported in the literature. This report describes the eleventh case. A 55-year-old woman was hospitalized with biliary stenosis. Sonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a tumor in the upper common hepatic duct (CHD). Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography showed extraluminal growth of the tumor. The tumor was resected and histologic examination showed carcinoid tumor of the common hepatic duct.

Adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia of the extrahepatic bile duct--a report of two cases

Two patients with adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia located at the distal end of the extrahepatic bile duct are reported herein. The chief symptom in both patients was upper abdominal pain and the lesions found involved the proliferation of submucosal mucous glands and fibrous elements. Further progress in imaging diagnostic techniques would increase the frequency with which such lesions are discovered. But, even now, if mural irregularities and shadow defects are found in the extrahepatic bile duct, particularly in the distal end of the common bile duct, the possibility of a benign lesion such as adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia should be taken into consideration when making a diagnosis.

Cholesonographic characteristics of cystic duct metastasis causing acute acalculous cholecystitis: case report

A variety of epithelial malignancies are capable of metastasizing to the bile ducts and gall bladder in a fashion distinct from concurrent spread to the liver. Ultrasonography has proved useful in evaluating obstructive jaundice in this setting and, in the case described, accurately diagnosed acute acalculous cholecystitis caused by a solitary metastasis from carcinoma of the breast to the cystic duct. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the accuracy of this preoperative diagnosis.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the biliary tree in childhood. A report from the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study

Ten cases of rhabdomyosarcoma of the biliary tree (RMS/BT) in children are reported in this review of the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) I and II. RMS/BT constitutes 0.8% of evaluable tumors on IRS I and II. Intermittent obstructive jaundice with or without abdominal distention, fever, and loss of appetite is the typical presentation. Attribution of these symptoms to hepatitis commonly delayed definitive treatment. Demonstration of a mass in the porta hepatitis by ultrasound led quickly to surgical consultation and an exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperative cholangiography was a valuable technique in establishing the level of biliary tree obstruction and verifying a functioning drainage procedure. Resection of the mass with only microscopic or minimal gross residual disease was possible at the initial surgery in six of the ten patients. Included in this group are all four of the surviving patients. The continuity of bile flow was usually maintained by variations of a Roux-en-Y jejunostomy. Histology was embryonal RMS with some botryoid elements. Consultation with a surgical pathologist during the course of the surgery was of invaluable assistance. Multi-drug chemotherapy and radiotherapy consistent with the IRS protocols were given postoperatively. A second-look surgery was useful in evaluating residual or recurrent disease. Four patients are surviving free of disease at 6 months, 3, 6 1/4, and 6 1/2 years from diagnosis, respectively. This review demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach in RMS/BT can lead to long-term survival.