Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

By DiGiacinto BJ, Bohn AM, Sanghi AK

CASE SUMMARY

The patient was a 75-year-old black male who presented to his primary care physician with abdominal pain, poor appetite, generalized weakness, and unintentional weight loss for three weeks. The physical exam yielded mild tenderness in the LLQ and RUQ without guarding or rebound tenderness. Significant laboratory values included an elevated WBC of 13,600 cells/mL; alkaline phosphatase, 144 IU/L; and total bilirubin 2.2 mg/dL.

Transabdominal ultrasound (US) identified a distended, thick-walled gallbladder, diffuse biliary tract dilatation, and a hepatic mass. Computed tomography and MRCP confirmed these findings and identified an ill-defined intraductal mass at the confluence of the hepatic ducts. A CA 19-9 level was markedly elevated at 761 U/mL. Biopsies from the biliary and hepatic masses, and a necrotic lymph node in the porta hepatis were histologically confirmed to be cholangiocarcinoma. The patient was transferred to a tertiary care center for palliative stent placement, as he was not a surgical candidate.

IMAGING FINDINGS

The patient presented with classic imaging findings of a perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Transabdominal US showed diffuse intrahepatic biliary congestion, a small mass near the porta hepatis, and a dilated, thick-walled gall bladder (Figure 1). Recognizing a dilated or crowded biliary tree is a critical, though nonspecific, step in the workup of cholangiocarcinomas. A CT scan confirmed the presence of a hyperattenuating mass on arterial phase (Figure 2). MRCP confirmed a hypointense intraductal mass on STIR sequence, diffuse biliary congestion, and distended irregular gallbladder (Figures 3 and 4).

DIAGNOSIS

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (Type 4)

DISCUSSION

Patients with cholangiocarcinoma most often present with painless jaundice and other signs of biliary obstruction: scleral icterus, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or generalized pruritus. This occurs earlier if the tumor is located in the common bile duct or common hepatic duct. Constitutional symptoms and abdominal pain only occur in advanced disease. There may be a palpable non-tender gallbladder on physical exam.1, 2

Abnormally elevated laboratory values in cholangiocarcinomas include alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and direct bilirubin levels. The tumor markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) are frequently elevated as well. CA 19-9 is the most useful tumor marker in this illness as it is elevated in about 80% of cases and clinically linked to prognosis. A CA19-9 level > 129 U/L in the setting of a biliary mass is highly suggestive of cholangiocarcinoma.3, 4

Radiologic features and tumor classification

Transabdominal ultrasound (US) is often a starting point for patients presenting with RUQ pain or jaundice. It can identify dilation of the biliary tree, hepatic cysts, and some hepatic and biliary masses. Irregular US findings often result in additional imaging and cholangiography (ERCP, PTC, MRCP). Computed tomography (CT), especially multiphase, is useful for identifying and differentiating masses and lymphadenopathy. Positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) is useful in staging and identify metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. However, PET/CT is less sensitive and specific in patients with extrahepatic disease or concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis due to increased background uptake. Standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also sensitive in identifying masses and lymph nodes. MRI provides the added benefit of characterizing relevant changes in the surrounding connective tissue and liver parenchyma. MRCP is useful in mapping disease and strictures in the biliary tree. MRI – angiogram is critical for evaluating vascular involvement of the tumor. Endosonography is the most sensitive method for evaluating local lymph node invasion. In fact, endosonography-guided lymph node biopsies are required to histologically rule out lymph node metastasis.1, 5, 6

Cholangiocarcinomas are divided into intrahepatic, extrahepatic (perihilar), and distal extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The AJCC defines perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (Klatskin tumors) as occurring from the right and left hepatic ducts to the common bile duct. Intrahepatic tumors occur starting in the secondary biliary radicles and distal extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas arise from the common bile duct forward.7, 8 The most commonly used classification system for perihilar cholangiocarcinomas specifically is the Bismuth-Corlette System. The tumor in this case was a type IV cholangiocarcinoma with multi-focal involvement extending from the confluence of the hepatic ducts to the common bile duct (Table 2).

It is also important for radiologists to have a cursory knowledge of the staging system and contraindications for surgery in order to communicate effectively with ordering physicians. In this case the patient was not a surgical candidate based on local metastasis and N2 lymph node involvement (Table 3).

Pathophysiology and histology

The exact cause of cholangiocarcinoma is unknown. However, risk factors include: ulcerative colitis associated primary sclerosing cholangitis, choledochal cysts, liver flukes (Clinorchis or Opisthorcis), Thorotrast, and familial syndromes (SBLA Syndrome and HNPCC).2, 8, 9 The common theme is proinflammatory changes leading to epithelial dysplasia and carcinogenesis.10 Cholangiocarcinoma has been linked to mutations in p53, BCL-2, and KRAS. However, recent advances in genetic research suggest a more complex genetic origin.

The vast majority of these tumors are adenocarcinoma arising from the biliary epithelium. However, a variety of rare cell types have also been discovered. These include squamous and mucinous cholangiocarcinoma. Cholangiocarcinoma may also be broken down by growth pattern: exophytic, infiltrating, polypoid, and mixed. Perihilar cholangiocarcinomas are most often infiltrating. They present as poorly differentiated desmoplastic adenocarcinomas with poor blood flow aggressively infiltrating the surrounding tissue.9

CONCLUSION

Perihilar cholangiocarcinomas are relatively rare gastrointestinal malignancies. They are most often detected after lymphatic metastasis or direct invasion of other organs. Patients with cholangiocarcinoma most often present with jaundice or other symptoms of cholestasis. However, they may present with vague constitutional symptoms. Cholangiocarcinomas are very aggressive and have poor prognoses. The most effective way to augment survival is early identification and surgical intervention. Thus, radiologists must remain vigilant for the radiologic stigmata of cholangiocarcinomas to facilitate early diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes.

REFERENCES

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DiGiacinto BJ, Bohn AM, Sanghi AK. (Jun 07, 2018). Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Appl Radiol. 2018; 47(6):28-31.

Prepared by Mr. Di Giacinto and Ms. Bohn while fourth-year medical students at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolinas Campus, Spartanburg, SC, and completing clerkships at Orangeburg Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg, SC; and Dr. Sanghi while serving as Director of MRI Studies; Department of Radiology, Orangeburg Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg, SC.

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