A Case of Malignant Biliary Stricture Mimicking Benign Stricture coincided with Clonorchis sinensis / 대한췌담도학회지

ABSTRACT

Accurate and early diagnosis of indeterminate bile duct stricture is difficult. There are numerous cases suggesting similarity between benign tumors and malignancy. Therefore, meticulous evaluation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) is necessary. A 50 year-old male presented with painless jaundice. Abdominal CT scan showed distal biliary stricture without definite pancreatic mass. Repeated brush cytology and endobiliary biopsy during ERCP did not reveal malignancy except for eggs of Clonorchis sinensis. The patient declined surgical resection without definite evidence of malignancy. Abdominal CT scan one month later showed progressive parenchymal atrophy and pancreatic duct dilatation. The patient underwent pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Pathology revealed pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the head portion. Since accurate preoperative diagnosis of malignant biliary obstruction can be evasive, patients with biliary stricture should undergo evaluation with high index of suspicion.