Pigment polyp in the common bile duct

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder associated with various complications.
• Cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure, but can lead to long-term complications.
• Pigment polyps are rare biliary tract neoplasms.

Observation:

• A young female with a history of sickle cell disease and prior cholecystectomy presented with abdominal pain and jaundice.
• Imaging revealed a dilated biliary tree, initially suspected to be a stone.
• A polypoid lesion was identified at the common hepatic and common bile duct junction.

Findings:

• Biopsy confirmed the lesion was a benign pigment polyp.
• The polyp originated from the cystic duct stump.
• This is the first reported case of a pigment polyp in a patient with sickle cell disease.

Implications:

• This case suggests pigment polyps may be an underrecognized complication in sickle cell disease patients.
• Further investigation is warranted to understand the association between sickle cell disease and pigment polyp formation.
• This finding may influence surveillance strategies for patients with sickle cell disease and a history of cholecystectomy.