Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the hilar bile duct mimicking hilar cholangiocarcinoma: report of a case

An Unusual Radiologic Image of Extensive Tumor Mass Infiltrating Hepatic Hilum without Signs of Cholestasis-A Case Report and a Literature Review of Non-Cancerous Lesions Mimicking Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (mICC) is the most frequent type of ICC. In contrast-enhanced computed tomography, mICC is visualized as a hypodense lesion with distal dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts. The presented case illustrates the unusual manifestation of mICC in a 71-year-old male patient, where despite the extensive tumor mass and the hilar infiltration, the dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts and cholestasis were not noted.

METHODS

A literature review on PubMed was performed. Primarily, 547 records were identified, and the titles and abstracts were systematically searched. Regarding the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 31 papers describing the non-cancerous liver lesions mimicking ICC were included in the further analysis.

RESULTS

In 41.9% of the analyzed non-cancerous lesions, the obstruction of the bile ducts was not noted, similar to our patient. A significant cholestasis has been found in 30.03% of analyzed patients. The invasion of the liver hilum was noted in one-third of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Atypical radiological features in lesions suspected of ICC, such as the absence of intrahepatic bile-duct dilation, are common in benign lesions. In the case of radiologically atypical lesions suspected of ICC, the diagnostic imaging needs to be correlated with clinical data, and the diagnosis should be confirmed with a pathological examination.

Heterotopic chondroid tissue of the main bile duct mimicking Klatskin tumor: case report and review of the literature

Heterotopic tissue in the bile duct is a very rare condition. There are a few case reports of heterotopic tissue including gastric and pancreatic cells. However, we could not find any data regarding heterotopic chondroid tissue obstructing the common bile duct in the literature. A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with complaints of progressive jaundice and pruritus. Laboratory test results were within the normal limits except bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase which were 10.8 mg/dL and 256 IU/L, respectively. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) and computed tomography (CT) revealed a biliary stricture confined to the upper part of the common bile duct. The patient was operated as soon as the bilirubin level dropped below 5 mg/dL by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Despite the lack of a precise confirmation, the patient was prepared for operation considering the possibility of a malignant biliary tumor since the radiographic mass findings together with hyperbilirubinemia were highly suggestive of malignancy. The patient underwent total extrahepatic bile duct resection and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, and was discharged without any postoperative complications. Histologic examination of the bile duct and the nodule revealed the presence of a well-demarcated chondroid tissue within the subepithelial connective tissue. Herein, we presented the first case, to our knowledge, of heterotopic chondroid tissue of the common bile duct in the literature. It is a benign condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of stricture and mass-forming lesions of the bile duct.

Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa in the Common Bile Duct With Cholangiocarcinoma

Gastric heterotopia within the biliary system is extremely rare. Moreover, the combination of gastric heterotopia in the bile duct with cholangiocarcinoma has not been reported. We describe a case of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the common bile duct with cholangiocarcinoma. An 80-year-old male was admitted with abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed wall thickening from the hilar duct to the distal common bile duct. Biopsy from the distal bile duct showed only benign gastric foveolar-type epithelium and fundic glands. Although the diagnosis of the biopsy was benign, malignancy was strongly suspected from the radiologic findings, and excision of the bile ducts was performed. Microscopically, the resected specimen showed poorly formed malignant glands and gastric heterotopia also identified in the common bile duct. Three months later, the patient's state worsened due to recurrence, and he died. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gastric heterotopia in the bile duct accompanying cholangiocarcinoma.

Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa in a Duplication Cyst of the Common Hepatic Duct Mimicking Cholangiocarcinoma

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in biliary tract is a congenital anomaly that can prove significant clinical dilemmas. Here we report the case of a 28-year-old female patient presenting with jaundice, pruritus, and altered liver tests, with predominant cholestasis. Liver biopsy revealed histological changes suggesting large bile duct obstruction with advanced fibrosis. At imaging, common hepatic duct stricture due to an intraluminal enhancing mass was observed. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and upper echoendoscopy revealed a firm mass of the common hepatic duct with a complete obstruction, suspicious for cholangiocarcinoma. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy performed under echoendoscopic guidance revealed fundic type gastric mucosa. Despite histological result, radiological suspicion of malignancy together with advanced fibrosis prompted a segmental resection of biliary tract. At macroscopic examination, the common hepatic duct presented a focal pseudocystic appearance with a firm zone of subtotal stenosis. Histology revealed a duplication cyst lined by heterotopic fundic gastric mucosa. Heterotopic gastric mucosa of the biliary tract should be suspected in young patients without know risk factors for hepatobiliary malignancies. Imaging and careful histological examination are mandatory for optimal management. Liver fibrosis, secondary to chronic biliary obstruction may be a significant late complication.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the anus and rectum: first case report of endoscopic submucosal dissection and systematic review

BACKGROUND

Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) is the most reported epithelial heterotopia, but it is very rare in the rectum and anus.

METHODS

The first case of an asymptomatic adult male with a large nonpolypoid HGM in the low rectum underwent complete resection by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is reported. The systematic review was based on a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar. Studies on humans were identified with the term 'heterotopic gastric mucosa in the rectum and /or anus.'

RESULTS

The search identified 79 citations, and 72 cases were evaluated comprising the present report. Congenital malformations were observed in 17 (24%) patients; rectal duplication accounted for most of the cases. The HGM was located in the anus and perineal rectum in 25 cases (41%) and low, middle and proximal pelvic rectum in 20 (33%), five (8%) and 11 cases (18%), respectively. Morphology was nonpolypoid in 37 cases (51%), polypoid in 26 cases (36%) and ulcerated in nine cases (13%). Specific anorectal symptoms were reported by 50 (69%) patients of the whole study population, and by 33 (97%) of 34 patients ≤ 18 years. Complications were observed in 23 cases (32%). The HGM was excised in 50 cases (83%). Endoscopic resection was performed in 17 cases (34%); resection was piecemeal in five of 12 lesions ≥15 mm, required argon plasma coagulation in two cases and was associated with residual tissue in two (17%). Intestinal metaplasia and an adenoma with low-grade dysplasia were described in three adults (4%).

DISCUSSION

This systematic review shows that the HGM in the rectum and anus may be associated with specific rectal symptoms and serious complications, mainly in the pediatric population, and a risk of malignancy in adults. Its complete excision should be recommended, and the ESD can overcome the technical limits of conventional endoscopic snare resection and avoid unnecessary surgery.

Intentional examination of esophagus by narrow-band imaging endoscopy increases detection rate of cervical inlet patch

Foci of heterotopic gastric mucosa have been identified at different sites in the human body and the most common location is the proximal esophagus which is referred to as cervical inlet patch (CIP). The true prevalence of CIP varies and it is usually incidental findings during endoscopy. Because CIP is always asymptomatic, it was believed to be of little clinical relevance. However, emerging studies have described the acid-secreting characteristics of heterotopic gastric mucosa and associations of CIP with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, complications such as stricture, fistula, infection, mucosal hyperplasia, and malignant transformation have been reported. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of CIP, its associations with clinical manifestations, and the effect of intentional screening upper esophagus by magnifying endoscopy-narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI) system. Consecutive healthy adults who underwent panendoscopy were separated into two groups. Patients in group I (n = 471) were examined by an endoscopist who intended to find CIPs by ME-NBI. Patients in group II (n = 428) were examined by two endoscopists who were unaware of the study and performed white-light imaging endoscopy. Participants provided questionnaires on GERD-related symptoms. Higher CIP prevalence (11.7% vs. 1.9%, P < 0.0001) and longer duration of esophageal examination (mean ± standard deviation, 17.50 ± 12.40 vs. 15.24 ± 10.78 seconds, P = 0.004) were noted in group I than in group II. Analyzing group I patients revealed the higher prevalences of reflux symptoms (32.7% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.013) and erosive esophagitis (43.6% vs. 25.5%, P = 0.005) in patients with CIP than in those without. CIP was not associated with globus or dysphagia symptoms. More small CIPs (< 5 mm) were detected by ME-NBI than by white-light imaging (85.3% vs. 41.4%, P = 0.001). In conclusion, CIP prevalence was not low under intentional ME-NBI examination of the upper esophagus. The clinical relevance of CIP and its association with GERD require further investigation.