Obstructive jaundice caused by a portal cavernoma

Jpn J Radiol. 2010 Dec;28(10):754-8. doi: 10.1007/s11604-010-0480-7. Epub 2010 Dec 30.

Abstract

A 69-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of acute cholangitis with biliary obstruction. The cause of obstruction was either compression by a portal cavernoma or cavernous transformation. Multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) and abdominal ultrasonography (US) revealed a portal cavernoma around the common bile duct. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) demonstrated characteristic short, smooth narrowing of the bile duct. Endoscopic US and intraductal US demonstrated collateral vessels around the bile duct and were helpful for ruling out a neoplastic lesion. Thus, a combination of imaging modalities was useful for diagnosing this hepatobiliary complication, portal biliopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / methods
  • Cholangitis / complications
  • Common Bile Duct / diagnostic imaging
  • Common Bile Duct / pathology
  • Contrast Media
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / complications*
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Portal / etiology
  • Jaundice, Obstructive / diagnosis
  • Jaundice, Obstructive / etiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Male
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Portal Vein / pathology
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods

Substances

  • Contrast Media