Autoimmune cholangitis mimicking periductal-infiltrating cholangiocarcinoma

Abdom Imaging. 2008 May-Jun;33(3):334-6. doi: 10.1007/s00261-007-9259-4.

Abstract

We report here on the imaging findings of a case of autoimmune cholangitis that involved a segmental bile duct of the liver. Abdominal computed tomogram showed ill-defined low-attenuation lesion at the hilar portion of the right hepatic lobe, and this was associated with peripheral intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Gadolinium enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed wall thickening with periductal enhancement along the segmental tributaries of the right intrahepatic bile duct. The pathologic findings revealed lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and severe fibrosis, indicating autoimmune cholangitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / surgery
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic*
  • Biopsy
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Cholangitis / diagnosis*
  • Cholangitis / surgery
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Hepatectomy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gadolinium DTPA