Verma Akshra, Batey Andrew, Greenberg Eugene, Uzoaru Ikechukwu
Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Pathology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Carle Clinic Association and Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
South Med J. 2009 Apr;102(4):422-4. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318195b239.
Intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMT) are known to occur in the pancreas but rarely can occur in the bile ducts. These tumors secrete mucin that may form mucous plugs resulting in biliary stasis, biliary duct obstruction and dilation. We report a case of IPMT of the biliary tract that presented with fatigue and a persistent cholestatic pattern of liver enzyme elevation and required a high index of suspicion to make the final diagnosis. The early recognition and treatment of these tumors is important, as unlike other bile duct tumors, these have a good prognosis.