[Dual cause of obstructive jaundice: cholangiolithiasis and malignant choledochal stenosis]

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a 78-year-old woman with right-sided upper abdominal pain and jaundice (total bilirubin 8.9 mg/dl) revealed two stones, of about 1 cm diameter each, in the biliary duct. They were removed after papillotomy. Because of persisting jaundice (total bilirubin 7.6 mg/dl) and a history of two years of recurrent cholecystitis a cholecystectomy was performed. At operation an advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder was discovered, with tumour compression of the extrahepatic choledochal duct. After removal of the gallbladder the stenosis was bridged with a T-drain. For permanent bile diversion of a self-expanding stent was endoscopically implanted. The patient has been symptom-free so far for 6 months. It is stressed that, especially in elderly patients, malignant choledochal stenosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice caused by stones and diagnostic procedures undertaken accordingly.