Rare Clinical and Radiologic Case of Cholangiocarcinoma Mimicking Pyogenic Abscess, Hepatic Echinococcal Cysts, and Metastases

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma is a biliary carcinoma with a wide spectrum of imaging, histological, and clinical features. In immunocompromised patients, pyogenic abscesses are relatively common and an echinococcal hepatic cysts are very rare. The authors experienced a very rare case of cholangiocarcinoma showing multiple hypodense masses with wall enhancement mimicking pyogenic liver abscess, echinococcal hepatic cyst, and cystic metastases. An 83-year-old man, complaining of fatigue and poor oral intake, presented to our outpatient clinic. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple, variable-sized hypodense masses with peripheral rim enhancement throughout the liver. Dynamic liver magnetic resonance images also showed findings similar to those of a CT scan. We performed ultrasound-guided biopsy of the mass which revealed cholangiocarcinoma.