Spontaneous necrosis of gallbladder carcinoma in patient with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

Yoichi Sakurai, Mitsutaka Shoji, Toshiki Matsubara, Masashi Suganuma, Shigeru Hasegawa, Hiroki Imazu, Masahiro Ochiai, Takahiko Funabiki, Makoto Urano, Yoshikazu Mizoguchi, Makoto Kuroda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

While gallbladder carcinoma is occasionally associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction, spontaneous necrosis of carcinoma is extremely rare. We herein present a case of spontaneous necrosis of gallbladder carcinoma associated with direct invasion of viable cancer cell nests to the muscularis propria and subserosal layer located beneath the primary nodules. A 65-year-old Japanese man was admitted to a local hospital, complaining of repeated discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Ultrasonography and computed tomography scanning revealed cholecystitis associated with gallstones. Cholecystectomy was performed, and operative cholangiography demonstrated pancreaticobiliary maljunction. The resected gallbladder showed multiple mixed stones filled with necrotic debris and bile sludge. Scrutiny of the mucosal surface revealed multiple small necrotic nodules in the fundus, which were histologically confirmed to be necrotic remnants of a cancerous glandular structure. Small nests of papillary adenocarcinoma were found beneath the nodules in the muscularis propria and in the venous structure located in the connective tissues next to the divided margin of the gallbladder bed. Resection of S4a and S5 of the liver and resection of the extrahepatic bile duct was then performed to remove the remaining cancerous tissues and/or micrometastasis in the liver and bile duct. The biliary tree was reconstructed with a hepaticoduodenostomy. No cancer nests or any precancerous lesions were found in the additionally resected specimens. This case indicates a unique morphological feature of gallbladder carcinoma associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction, which provides some insight into the pathogenesis of spontaneous necrosis of gallbladder carcinoma.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-100
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Surgery
  • Hepatology

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