Biliary Inflammatory Pseudotumor: Imaging Features in Seven Patients

Gallbladder and biliary pathology: lessons learned from multidisciplinary conference

The radiologic diagnosis of biliary disease can be challenging due to atypical or delayed presentation, rare or less common entities, and imaging overlap of benign and malignant processes. Establishing a specific diagnosis, when possible, is important to avoid progression of infections to sepsis and multiorgan failure, and for appropriate staging and management in cases of malignancy. Gallstones are the most common biliary disease, and along with stone-related complications, including cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis, constitute the majority of acute biliary pathology. Late and atypical manifestations of acute cholecystitis demonstrate imaging overlap with primary gallbladder cholangiocarcinoma, especially with cases of exuberant inflammatory reaction such as xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis. Additional challenging scenarios related to gallbladder disease, that may be benign or malignant, include adjacent fistulas and lymphadenopathy. Dropped gallstones, especially in atypical locations, may be misdiagnosed as neoplastic. Recurrent cholecystitis after cholecystectomy, whether related to subtotal cholecystectomy or to stumpitis, is another entity that can be confusing to the radiologist with a documented history of cholecystectomy. Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as pseudotumors and IgG4 disease, are a less common but not infrequent cause of diagnostic dilemma. Furthermore, biliary strictures and hepatobiliary cystic lesions can be benign or malignant and could constitute a diagnostic and management challenge. The goal of this manuscript is to present the lessons learned from multidisciplinary conferences on the above entities and suggest tips and pearls to maximize the value of radiologists' contribution to patient management.

Complicated course of biliary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor mimicking hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare, idiopathic, usually benign, mass-forming disease with myofibroblastic proliferation and a varying amount of inflammatory cells. Although it can affect various organs, the biliary tract is a rare localization of primary IMT, clinically, endoscopically and radiologically imitating cholangiocarcinoma. The treatment options are based only on clinical practice experience.

CASE SUMMARY

A 70-year-old woman was referred to our center due to progressive fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, night sweats, and elevated liver enzymes. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed proximal common hepatic duct and hilar biliary strictures extending bilaterally to lobular bile ducts. Although initial clinical, endoscopic and radiological signs were typical for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, histological examination showed no signs of malignancy. In total, 8 biopsies using different approaches were performed (several biopsies from dominant stricture during ERCP and direct cholangioscopy; ultrasound-guided liver biopsy; diagnostic laparoscopy with liver and lymph node biopsies). Histological examination revealed signs of IMT, and the final diagnosis of biliary IMT was stated. Although IMT is usually a benign disease, in our case, it was complicated. All pharmacological treatment measures were ineffective. The patient still needs permanent stenting, suffers from recurrent infections and mechanical jaundice. Despite that, the patient already survived 24 mo.

CONCLUSION

IMT presenting with hilar biliary strictures is a unique diagnostic and clinical challenge as it is indistinguishable from cholangiocarcinoma, and there are no evidence-based treatment options. Our goal is to increase the understanding of this rare disease and its possible course.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors: Current Update

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a mesenchymal neoplasm of intermediate biological potential with a predilection for the lung and abdominopelvic region. IMT represents the neoplastic subset of the family of inflammatory pseudotumors, an umbrella term for spindle cell proliferations of uncertain histogenesis with a variable inflammatory component. IMTs show characteristic fasciitis-like, compact spindle cell and hypocellular fibrous histologic patterns and distinctive molecular features. Imaging findings reflect pathologic features and vary from an ill-defined, infiltrating lesion to a wellcircumscribed, soft tissue mass owing to variable inflammatory, stromal, and myofibroblastic components.

Imaging of childhood inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare benign neoplasm and most commonly involves the lung but occurs in extrapulmonary locations.

OBJECTIVE

To present imaging findings in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in children based on a single-centre experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed CT and MRI findings of children diagnosed with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a single institution.

RESULTS

We identified 15 children (range: 1-17 years) with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The tumor was localized to the lung (n = 5), mediastinum (n = 3), trachea (n = 1), bronchus (n = 1), abdomen (n = 2) and orbit (n = 3). All the extraorbital tumors were solid masses with homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement. Four lung tumors and one posterior mediastinal tumor contained calcification. Local recurrence following surgical removal occurred in two children with invasion of the esophagus and of the left atrium in one. Localized masses were seen in all children with orbital tumour. Two of these had episcleritis and perineuritis; one had episcleritis, tendonitis, perineuritis, myositis and dacryoadenitis.

CONCLUSION

The locations and imaging features of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are variable.

Adult bile duct strictures: role of MR imaging and MR cholangiopancreatography in characterization

Bile duct strictures in adults are secondary to a wide spectrum of benign and malignant pathologic conditions. Benign causes of bile duct strictures include iatrogenic causes, acute or chronic pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis, liver transplantation, recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, Mirizzi syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cholangiopathy, and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Malignant causes include cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and periampullary carcinomas. Rare causes include biliary inflammatory pseudotumor, gallbladder carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases to bile ducts, and extrinsic bile duct compression secondary to periportal or peripancreatic lymphadenopathy. Contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with MR cholangiopancreatography is extremely helpful in the noninvasive evaluation of patients with obstructive jaundice, an obstructive pattern of liver function, or incidentally detected biliary duct dilatation. Some of these conditions may show characteristic findings at MR imaging-MR cholangiopancreatography that help in making a definitive diagnosis. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with tissue biopsy or surgery is needed for the definitive diagnosis of many of these strictures, certain MR imaging characteristics of the narrowed segment (eg, thickened wall, long-segment involvement, asymmetry, indistinct outer margin, luminal irregularity, hyperenhancement relative to the liver parenchyma) may favor a malignant cause. Awareness of the various causes of bile duct strictures in adults and familiarity with their appearances at MR imaging-MR cholangiopancreatography are important for accurate diagnosis and optimal patient management.

IgG4-related cholecystitis presenting as biliary malignancy: report of three cases

An increased awareness of IgG4-related diseases has led to an escalation in the number of sites known to be involved by this fibroinflammatory disease. We report three cases of IgG4-related cholecystitis which were thought to represent biliary malignancies both clinically and radiographically. All three cases underwent surgery tailored towards presumed malignant neoplasms. Only following pathologic examination was the true nature of the disease identified. Recognition of the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic presentation of IgG4-related cholecystitis is essential for the consideration of this disease process prior to surgical management for suspected gallbladder malignancies. However, the pre-operative diagnosis remains challenging and extensive surgical intervention is often necessary given the distressing presentation of IgG4-related cholecystitis.

Mid common bile duct inflammatory pseudotumor mimicking cholangiocarcinoma. A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Biliary inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) represent an exceptional benign cause of obstructive jaundice. These lesions are often mistaken for cholangiocarcinomas and are treated with major resections, because their final diagnosis can be achieved only after formal pathological examination of the resected specimen. Consequently, biliary IPTs are usually managed with unnecessary major resections.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 71-year-old female patient underwent an extra-hepatic bile duct resection en-bloc with the gallbladder and regional lymph nodes for an obstructing intraluminal growing tumor of the mid common bile duct (CBD). Limited resection was decided intraoperatively because of negative for malignancy fast frozen sections analysis in addition to the benign macroscopic features of the lesion. Histologically the tumor proved an IPT, arising from the bile duct epithelium, composed of inflammatory cells and reactive mesenchymal tissues.

DISCUSSION

The present case underlines the value of intraoperative reassessment of patients undergoing surgical resection for histopathologically undiagnosed biliary occupying lesions, in order to optimize their surgical management.

CONCLUSION

The probability of benign lesions mimicking cholangiocarcinoma should always be considered to avoid unnecessary major surgical resections, especially in fragile and/or elderly patients.

Recurring multicystic inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver: a case report

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is a rare benign lesion for which imaging diagnosis remains a challenge. We report the case of a 39-year-old Algerian woman, who presented epigastric pains combined with fever and jaundice. Ultrasound, CT scan and MRI showed the presence of a 10 cm-long multi-septated cystic mass of the left lobe, with peripheral enhancement. A left-hepatectomy was performed and histopathology revealed an IPT of the liver. During the 4 following years, the patient had three other recurrences of liver IPT at various locations distinct from the original, revealed by the same clinical symptoms. During these relapses, the lesions did regress thanks to a medical treatment. This observation underlines the difficulty of the diagnosis and treatment of liver IPT.

Klatskin-like lesions

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma, also known as Klatskin tumour, is the commonest type of cholangiocarcinoma. It poses unique problems in the diagnosis and management because of its anatomical location. Curative surgery in the form of major hepatic resection entails significant morbidity. About 5-15% of specimens resected for presumed Klatskin tumour prove not to be cholangiocarcinomas. There are a number of inflammatory, infective, vascular, and other pathologies, which have overlapping clinical and radiological features with a Klatskin tumour, leading to misinterpretation. This paper aims to summarise the features of such Klatskin-like lesions that have been reported in surgical literature.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of liver masquerading as hilar cholangiocarcinoma

There is a wide variety of inflammatory and benign neoplastic disorders of the biliary system that mimic cholangiocarcinoma in terms of clinical manifestations and imaging findings. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the bilary tract is one such condition, which is extremely rare but benign. Like cholangiocarcinoma this condition presents as painless progressive obstructive jaundice and it is often difficult to differentiate between the two prior to laparotomy, with the usual investigative modalities. Diagnosis is usually established by the characteristic histopathology findings in biopsy specimen. Newer diagnostic modalities directed at obtaining preoperative biopsy of the lesion appear promising in differentiating benign from malignant biliary lesions, but their routine use is yet to become standardised. Until then, awareness of doctors about the existence of such benign entities might prompt a less aggressive treatment approach while dealing with atypical hilar lesions of liver.

Mimics of cholangiocarcinoma: spectrum of disease

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary malignant hepatobiliary neoplasm, accounting for approximately 15% of liver cancers. Diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma is challenging and the prognosis is uniformly poor, with recurrence rates of 60%-90% after surgical resection. A wide spectrum of neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions of the biliary tract may masquerade as cholangiocarcinoma, adding to the complexity of management in patients suspected to have cholangiocarcinoma. Mimics of cholangiocarcinoma constitute a heterogeneous group of entities that includes primary sclerosing cholangitis, recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cholangiopathy, autoimmune pancreatitis, inflammatory pseudotumor, Mirizzi syndrome, xanthogranulomatous cholangitis, sarcoidosis, chemotherapy-induced sclerosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and carcinoid tumors. These entities demonstrate characteristic histomorphology and variable clinicobiologic behaviors. The imaging findings of these disparate entities are protean and may be indistinguishable from those of cholangiocarcinoma. In most cases, a definitive diagnosis can be established only with histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen.