Xanthogranulomatous cholangitis causing obstructive jaundice: A case report

Beyond cholangiocarcinoma: imaging features of mimicking pathologies in the biliary tract

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary malignancy of the hepatobiliary system and presents as a heterogeneous disease with three distinct morphological subtypes: mass-forming, periductal-infiltrating, and intraductal-growing, each characterized by distinguishing imaging features. Accurate diagnosis of CCA is challenging due to the overlap of imaging findings with a broad range of benign and malignant conditions. Therefore, it is essential for radiologists to recognize these mimickers and offer a reasonable differential diagnosis, as this has a significant impact on patient management. Although histopathological confirmation is often required for a definitive diagnosis, understanding specific imaging characteristics that differentiate CCA from its mimickers is crucial. This article highlights a variety of benign and malignant conditions that resemble CCA on imaging, emphasizing features that enhance diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.

Imaging and Clinical Findings of Xanthogranulomatous Inflammatory Disease of Various Abdominal and Pelvic Organs: A Pictorial Essay

Xanthogranulomatous (XG) inflammatory disease is a rare benign disease involving various organs, including the gallbladder, bile duct, pancreas, spleen, stomach, small bowel, colon, appendix, kidney, adrenal gland, urachus, urinary bladder, retroperitoneum, and female genital organs. The imaging features of XG inflammatory disease are nonspecific, usually presenting as a heterogeneous solid or cystic mass. The disease may also extend to adjacent structures. Due to its aggressive nature, it is occasionally misdiagnosed as a malignant neoplasm. Herein, we review the radiological features and clinical manifestations of XG inflammatory diseases in various organs of the abdomen and pelvis.

Xanthogranulomatous cholangitis mimicking cholangiocarcinoma: Case report and review of literature

Introduction

Xanthogranulomatous cholangitis is an extremely rare diagnosis and is believed to be an extension of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, a benign inflammatory process characterized by lipid-laden foamy macrophages (called “xanthoma cells”) occurring in a background of chronic inflammation consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. Here, we report a case of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis mimicking cholangiocarcinoma.

Case presentation

A 72 year old male with history of recurrent cholangitis had preoperative workup highly suggestive of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. He underwent right hepatectomy and portal lymphadenectomy, with pathology showing xanthogranulomatous cholangitis, with no evidence of malignancy. Interestingly, the patient did not have xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

Discussion

We reviewed the current literature on xanthogranulomatous cholangitis, and identified only 14 previously reported cases. In our case series, there were six female and eight male patients. Among the 14 patients, 11 presented to the hospital with jaundice. Twelve patients had preoperative workup concerning for malignancy. The diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis was confirmed through pathology in 13 patients, and through endoscopic ultrasound biopsy in one patient. In our review, seven patients had associated xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, three patients had an isolated case of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis, and four patients had unknown status. Our patient is the fourth case of isolated xanthogranulomatous cholangitis without xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

Conclusion

Xanthogranulomatous cholangitis is a very rare phenomenon that can lead to benign strictures of the bile ducts, especially in the setting of recurrent cholangitis. It can mimic malignancies, such as cholangiocarcinoma, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

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Xanthogranulomatous cholangitis is an extremely rare inflammatory process.

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It involves lipid-laden macrophages of the bile duct.

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Patients with xanthogranulomatous cholangitis frequently present with jaundice.

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It can mimic malignancies, including bile duct, liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic cancers.

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It should be included in the differential diagnosis of biliary abnormalities

Decreased Disposition of Anticancer Drugs Predominantly Eliminated via the Liver in Patients with Renal Failure

Background:

Evidence has revealed that renal impairment can affect the systemic exposure of drugs which are predominantly eliminated via the liver. The modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters expressed in the liver and/or small intestine by diverse entities, including uremic toxins, in systemic circulation of patients with severe renal failure is considered as the cause of atypical pharmacokinetics, which sometimes induce undesirable adverse events that are especially critical for drugs with narrow therapeutic window such as anticancer drugs. A dosing strategy for anticancer drugs in these patients needs to be established.

Methods:

The effects of renal impairment on the systemic exposure and safety of anticancer drugs were summarized. The proposed mechanisms for the alterations in the pharmacokinetics of these anticancer drugs were also discussed.

Results:

Changes in pharmacokinetics and clinical response were reported in 9 out of 10 cytotoxic anticancer drugs investigated, although available information was limited and sometimes controversial. Systemic exposure of 3 out of 16 tyrosine kinase inhibitors was higher in patients with severe renal failure than that in patients with normal kidney function. An increase in systemic exposure of anticancer drugs in patients with renal impairment is likely to be observed for substrates of OATP1B1, despite the limited evidence.

Conclusion:

The molecular basis for the effect of uremia on non-renal drug elimination still needed to be clarified with further studies to generate generalizable concepts, which may provide insights into establishing better clinical usage of anticancer drugs, i.e. identifying patients at risk and dose adjustment.

Phase Ib study of the combination of pexidartinib (PLX3397), a CSF-1R inhibitor, and paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety, recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and efficacy of pexidartinib, a colony stimulating factor receptor 1 (CSF-1R) inhibitor, in combination with weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Patients and Methods:

In part 1 of this phase Ib study, 24 patients with advanced solid tumors received escalating doses of pexidartinib with weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m²). Pexidartinib was administered at 600 mg/day in cohort 1. For subsequent cohorts, the dose was increased by ⩽50% using a standard 3+3 design. In part 2, 30 patients with metastatic solid tumors were enrolled to examine safety, tolerability and efficacy of the RP2D. Pharmacokinetics and biomarkers were also assessed.

Results:

A total of 51 patients reported ≥1 adverse event(s) (AEs) that were at least possibly related to either study drug. Grade 3–4 AEs, including anemia (26%), neutropenia (22%), lymphopenia (19%), fatigue (15%), and hypertension (11%), were recorded in 38 patients (70%). In part 1, no maximum tolerated dose was achieved and 1600 mg/day was determined to be the RP2D. Of 38 patients evaluable for efficacy, 1 (3%) had complete response, 5 (13%) partial response, 13 (34%) stable disease, and 17 (45%) progressive disease. No drug–drug interactions were found. Plasma CSF-1 levels increased 1.6- to 53-fold, and CD14dim/CD16+ monocyte levels decreased by 57–100%.

Conclusions:

The combination of pexidartinib and paclitaxel was generally well tolerated. RP2D for pexidartinib was 1600 mg/day. Pexidartinib blocked CSF-1R signaling, indicating potential for mitigating macrophage tumor infiltration.

Monocentric study of bile aspiration associated with biliary brushing performed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 239 patients with symptomatic biliary stricture

BACKGROUND

The cytologic diagnosis obtained by brushing or biopsy in malignant biliary strictures is considered to be highly specific but poorly sensitive. The diagnostic association of biliary brushing and bile exfoliate cytology has been suggested but is rarely performed in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of bile aspiration associated with biliary brushing during therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

METHODS

From 2004 to 2009, 239 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP were included in the study. The biliary strictures were considered clinically benign in 26% of patients, uncertain in 25%, and malignant in 49%. The 298 cytologic samples collected were divided in 3 groups: bile aspiration alone (26%), biliary brushing alone (20%), and bile aspiration combined with brushing (54%). The definitive diagnosis of malignancy was obtained by biopsy, surgery, and fine-needle aspiration or was determined by an unfavorable disease course.

RESULTS

The cytologic diagnoses were as follows: 149 samples were benign (50%), 114 were malignant (38%), 34 had atypia (12%), and 1 had no diagnostic value. The procedure output values were as follows: for bile aspiration alone, sensitivity was 56.4%, specificity was 93.9%, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 91.7%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 64.6%; for brushing alone, sensitivity was 62.5%, both specificity and the PPV were 100%, and the NPV was 73%; and, for bile aspiration and brushing combined, sensitivity was 81%, both specificity and the PPV were 100%, and the NPV was 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients who have symptomatic biliary stricture, bile aspiration during ERCP is a simple and safe procedure. Bile aspiration combined with brushing significantly increases the yield of cytology for malignant biliary tumors (sensitivity, 81%), particularly in cholangiocarcinomas. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:330-9. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Transarterial catheter embolisation for an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage

A 72-year-old man with a history of gallstones, and complex cardiac and endocrinological comorbidities, presented with severe abdominal pain and melaena. CT mesenteric angiogram showed a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm and gallbladder distended by haematoma. Subsequent mesenteric angiography confirmed a cystic artery pseudoaneurysm, which was successfully embolised with microcoils. The patient made a rapid recovery and was discharged after 3 days.

Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor associated with xanthogranulomatous cholangitis mimicking cholangiocarcinoma

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a rare benign condition often misdiagnosed as malignancy. An 80-year-old man was referred to our clinic for an asymptomatic hepatic mass detected on plain abdominal CT. Abdominal ultrasonography identified the lesion as a poorly defined hypoechoic mass. Although a liver biopsy did not provide any evidence of malignancy, imaging modalities suggested a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. The patient underwent left lobectomy, and the pathological findings were consistent with the features of xanthogranulomatous cholangitis. This case is the first report of hepatic IPT originating from xanthogranulomatous cholangitis without symptoms and illustrates the importance of obtaining a preoperative diagnosis in order to avoid a misdiagnosis of malignant tumor.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis mimicking gallbladder cancer

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a benign, uncommon variant of chronic cholecystitis characterised by focal or diffuse destructive inflammatory process of the gallbladder (GB). Macroscopically, it appears like yellowish tumour-like masses in the wall of the GB. This article reports on a 74-year-old woman with XGC mimicking GB cancer.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis mimicking gallbladder cancer and causing obstructive cholestasis

BACKGROUND

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a destructive inflammatory disease of the gallbladder that can mimic gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODS

We present the case of a 35-year-old Hispanic male complaining of right upper quadrant pain and jaundice for 2 months prior to admission. He denied a history of fever, nausea/vomiting, and weight loss. The past medical history was relevant only for diabetes. He had no previous history of jaundice or previous operations.

RESULTS

CA19-9 was slightly elevated (52 U/mL). Abdominal ultrasonography showed an irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall and no gallstones were detected. CT scan also revealed an irregular thickening of the wall of the gallbladder body suggestive of malignancy. At laparotomy, the mass was adherent to the duodenum and colon, and although the frozen section biopsy was negative, the intraoperative findings were suggestive of malignancy, and the patient underwent left liver trisegmentectomy, resection of the common bile duct and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Pathological examination unexpectedly revealed XGC without malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative and intraoperative differential diagnosis of XGC from gallbladder carcinoma remains a challenge when it is associated with inflammatory involvement of surrounding tissues. Since gallbladder carcinoma and XGC may coexist, radical resection is justified when malignancy cannot be completely ruled out.

Klatskin-like lesions

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma, also known as Klatskin tumour, is the commonest type of cholangiocarcinoma. It poses unique problems in the diagnosis and management because of its anatomical location. Curative surgery in the form of major hepatic resection entails significant morbidity. About 5-15% of specimens resected for presumed Klatskin tumour prove not to be cholangiocarcinomas. There are a number of inflammatory, infective, vascular, and other pathologies, which have overlapping clinical and radiological features with a Klatskin tumour, leading to misinterpretation. This paper aims to summarise the features of such Klatskin-like lesions that have been reported in surgical literature.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis: the use of preoperative CT findings to differentiate it from gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A retrospective analysis was performed on 32 patients with histologically confirmed xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and 21 patients with gallbladder carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment between 1998 and 2007.

METHODS

All patients underwent preoperative CT scanning. The CT features analyzed were: the presence of intramural hypoattenuated nodules or bands, mucosal line, the patterns of wall thickening and enhancement, and the presence of stones in the gallbladder. The variables of the CT findings with XGC were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Intramural hypoattenuated nodules were observed in 21 patients (65%) with XGC, but in only six patients (29%) with gallbladder carcinoma (P < 0.01). The mucosal line was observed in 27 patients (84%) with XGC and in only four patients (19%) with gallbladder carcinoma (P < 0.0001). Gallstones were noted in 24 patients (75%) with XGC and five patients (24%) with gallbladder carcinoma (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the pattern of gallbladder wall thickening (diffuse or focal) and the presence of changes outside the gallbladder. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed from the CT features that the enhanced continuous mucosal line (P = 0.0013) and the presence of gallstones (P = 0.0072) were independently correlated with XGC.

CONCLUSION

CT features of the enhanced continuous mucosal line in a thickened gallbladder wall, together with gallstones in a patient with chronic gallbladder disease, are highly suggestive of XGC. Accurate diagnosis of XGC may therefore indicate the need to select a less aggressive surgical approach.

Mimics of cholangiocarcinoma: spectrum of disease

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary malignant hepatobiliary neoplasm, accounting for approximately 15% of liver cancers. Diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma is challenging and the prognosis is uniformly poor, with recurrence rates of 60%-90% after surgical resection. A wide spectrum of neoplastic and nonneoplastic conditions of the biliary tract may masquerade as cholangiocarcinoma, adding to the complexity of management in patients suspected to have cholangiocarcinoma. Mimics of cholangiocarcinoma constitute a heterogeneous group of entities that includes primary sclerosing cholangitis, recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cholangiopathy, autoimmune pancreatitis, inflammatory pseudotumor, Mirizzi syndrome, xanthogranulomatous cholangitis, sarcoidosis, chemotherapy-induced sclerosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases, melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and carcinoid tumors. These entities demonstrate characteristic histomorphology and variable clinicobiologic behaviors. The imaging findings of these disparate entities are protean and may be indistinguishable from those of cholangiocarcinoma. In most cases, a definitive diagnosis can be established only with histopathologic examination of a biopsy specimen.

High dose single-agent paclitaxel in a hemodialysis patient with advanced ovarian cancer: a case report with pharmacokinetic analysis and review of the literature

There exists only scarce data on the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel in patients with renal insufficiency. A 53-year-old woman on hemodialysis was treated with paclitaxel for relapsed ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel was administered as a 3-h infusion at 175, 225, and 300 mg/m(2) on nonhemodialysis days. The pharmacokinetic analysis revealed independence of the pharmacokinetic parameters for paclitaxel from the extent of renal (dys-)function. The peak plasma concentration of the 300 mg/m(2) dose level before and after dialysis was 23.05 and 21.01 ng/mL, respectively, proving that paclitaxel was not dialysable. The area under the plasma concentration versus time curve for the standard and highest dose of paclitaxel was 12,200 ng.h/mL in mean and 40,936 ng.h/mL, respectively. The absence of marked side effects at all dose levels was in line with the independence of the pharmacokinetic parameters for paclitaxel from renal function. No objective response was found, but a marked improvement of symptoms from gastrointestinal obstruction as well as a decrease in the serum CA125 level were observed. Patients with terminal renal failure undergoing hemodialysis tolerate conventional and even high doses of paclitaxel without experiencing severe toxicity.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: pharmacokinetics and clinical outcome of paclitaxel and carboplatin treatment

Purpose

Administration of chemotherapy in patients with renal failure, treated with hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is still a challenge and literature data is scarce. Here we present a case study of a patient on CAPD, treated with weekly and three-weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Experimental

During the first, second and ninth cycle of treatment, blood, urine and CAPD samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis of paclitaxel and total and unbound carboplatin-derived platinum.

Results

Treatment was well tolerated by the patient. No excessive toxicity was observed and at the end of treatment she was in a complete remission. The plasma pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel were unaltered compared to historical data, with neglectable urinary and CAPD clearance. In contrast, the pharmacokinetics of carboplatin were altered, with doubled half-lives compared to patients with normal renal function. Of the administered carboplatin dose, up to 20% was cleared via the dialysate, while only up to 8% was cleared via the urine.

Conclusion

Paclitaxel and carboplatin can be safely administered to patients with chronic renal failure on CAPD. For paclitaxel the generally applied dose can be administered, and although for carboplatin dose-adjustment is required due to the diminished renal function, the dose can be calculated using Calvert’s formula.

Intérêt de l’association cytologie de la bile et brossage de la voie biliaire principale : étude comparative chez 115 patients

This study summarizes the results concerning 120 specimens of biliary cytology which were classified in 3 groups: bile cytology alone, bile duct brushing alone, combined bile cytology and bile duct brushing made during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with biliary tract stricture. Comparison of these three groups showed that the number of diagnoses of malignant disease was greater when bile cytology and bile duct brushing were combined. Thus we recommend the use of the combined bile and brush cytology in the event of presumed malignant non-operable stricture. Furthermore, the ERCP is less aggressive for the patient if bile and biliary brushings are collected without biopsy.