Common bile duct polyp: an infrequent cause of jaundice and biliary obstruction

Abstract

Figures

Computed tomography showing circumferential thickening of the proximal common bile duct and left hepatic duct.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showing circumferential thickening of the proximal common bile duct and left hepatic duct.

Histopathological image showing cubic monostratified papillary biliary epithelium and intraductal papillary neoplasia. Externally, a fibrous capsule delimits the liver tissue with an inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin and eosin, × 4).

Histopathological image showing a papillary neoplasia with a fibrovascular core, as well as areas of high grade dysplasia in the gastric and pancreatobiliary epithelium, without evidence of invasive carcinoma (hematoxylin and eosin, 10×).

Full text

The most common etiology of common bile duct (CBD) obstruction is bile duct stones; less common causes include biliary polyps and intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB). Initially described by Nakamura et al. 1 in 2010, IPNB is defined as a pedunculated mass with intraluminal growth exhibiting significant malignant potential that can subsequently lead to cholangiocarcinoma.

We present the case of a 75-year-old woman with a history of jaundice and mild abdominal pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed circumferential thickening of the proximal CBD and left hepatic duct ( Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 ). Liver function tests confirmed a cholestatic pattern, with total bilirubin of 7.4 mg/dL, direct bilirubin of 5.3 mg/dL, alkaline phosphatase of 475 IU/L, and normal CA 19.9 level. Cholangioscopy revealed a single whitish papillary mass with a regular surface, located between the proximal CBD and left hepatic duct, obstructing approximately 80% of the biliary lumen ( Video 1 ). Multiple samples were obtained using SpyBite forceps (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA). Histological analysis confirmed the presence of an IPND with high grade dysplasia ( Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 ). The patient underwent left hepatectomy. The surgical specimen demonstrated a 17-mm lesion with biliopancreatic epithelium, involvement of the left hepatic duct, and no evidence of invasive carcinoma ( Fig. 4 ).

Computed tomography showing circumferential thickening of the proximal common bile duct and left hepatic duct.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showing circumferential thickening of the proximal common bile duct and left hepatic duct.

Histopathological image showing cubic monostratified papillary biliary epithelium and intraductal papillary neoplasia. Externally, a fibrous capsule delimits the liver tissue with an inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin and eosin, × 4).

Histopathological image showing a papillary neoplasia with a fibrovascular core, as well as areas of high grade dysplasia in the gastric and pancreatobiliary epithelium, without evidence of invasive carcinoma (hematoxylin and eosin, 10×).

Cholangioscopy showing a single, whitish papillary mass with a regular surface, located between the proximal common bile duct (CBD) and left hepatic duct.Video 1

Biliary polyps are classified as IPNBs. Given their potential to cause obstructive jaundice and cholangitis, as well as a high malignant potential, IPNBs must be treated surgically 2 3 . Our case underscores the value of performing cholangioscopy with targeted biopsies for the assessment and characterization of CBD tumors.

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