Peripheral cholangiocarcinoma with thoracic spine metastasis: a successful surgically treated case

Int Surg. 2001 Oct-Dec;86(4):225-8.

Abstract

In this study we present a rare case of cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis to the thoracic spine. A 63-year-old female with peripheral cholangiocarcinoma associated with hepatolithiasis presented low back pain as a result of a thoracic spine (T12) compression fracture. Spine surgery and pathological examination revealed a metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of unknown origin. Two weeks after the spine surgery, a nontender palpable abdominal mass was found at the epigastric area. Abdominal sonography (US), abdominal computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticogram (MRCP) revealed a hepatic tumor, hepatolithiasis, and gallbladder empyema. The patient underwent hepatic resection, cholecystectomy, and choledocholithotomy with T-tube stent. Pathological examination with immunohistochemical stain revealed hepatolithiasis concurrent with mucinous cholangiocarcinoma. Postoperative course was uneventful and no recurrence was noted during a 1-year follow-up period.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / complications
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic*
  • Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / complications
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Cholecystitis / complications
  • Cholelithiasis / complications
  • Cholelithiasis / diagnosis
  • Cholelithiasis / surgery
  • Female
  • Hepatectomy / methods
  • Humans
  • Laminectomy
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae*