Extrahepatic biliary cystadenoma: an unusual cause of recurrent cholangitis

Extrahepatic Mucinous Biliary Cystadenoma: A Case Report

Biliary cysts refer to cystic dilatation in the biliary ductal system that may be congenital or acquired. Extrahepatic biliary cysts constitute less than 10% of biliary cysts. Extrahepatic mucinous cystadenoma represents an extremely rare clinical condition with less than 100 cases reported in the English medical literature. Herein, we report the case of a middle-aged woman who presented with a clinical picture of cholestatic jaundice. Laboratory findings revealed elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. After a thorough investigation, she was found to have a cystic lesion in the common bile duct near the cystic duction site. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy, which revealed a 2.0 × 2.0 cm cystic lesion in the common bile duct that is exerting an obstructive effect on the biliary ducts. Complete en-block excision of the cystic lesion was performed with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction. Histopathological examination revealed mucinous biliary cystadenoma. Although very rare, biliary cystadenoma should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of cholestatic jaundice particularly in patients with no history of biliary stones or cholecystectomy.