IgG4-related hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor mimicking cholangiolocellular carcinoma

Clin J Gastroenterol. 2021 Dec;14(6):1733-1739. doi: 10.1007/s12328-021-01526-z. Epub 2021 Sep 27.

Abstract

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a benign tumor mass composed of chronic infiltration of inflammatory cells and fibrous tissue. IgG4-RD (related disease) in the hepatobiliary system has been widely recognized and includes IgG4-related hepatic IPT. This report describes a patient with IgG4-related hepatic IPT with sclerosing cholangitis. A 75-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of rectal cancer. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a low-density mass, 2.5 cm in diameter, in the left lateral lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the mass was slightly hypointense on T1-weighted images and slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Based on these results, we made a diagnosis of cholangiolocellular carcinoma, and we performed a left hepatectomy. Histopathological examination showed that the mass was composed of fibrous stroma with dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Immunohistochemically, IgG4-positive plasma cells were observed. The final diagnosis was IgG4-related hepatic IPT with sclerosing cholangitis. IgG4-related IPT is a relatively rare disease that can occur in any organ of the body. Although the accurate diagnosis of IgG4-related hepatic IPT remains difficult, IgG4-RD should be included in the differential diagnosis of liver tumors and histological analysis performed.

Keywords: Cholangiolocellular carcinoma; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor; IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis; Perflubutane.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms*
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
  • Cholangiocarcinoma* / diagnosis
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing* / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Granuloma, Plasma Cell* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G