Extrahepatic biliary tract tuberculosis: A case report and literature review

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that often has a latent period after the initial infection. Tuberculosis most often affects the lungs but it can also affect other parts of the body. Vietnam is in pandemic area of tuberculosis.

We present a rare case of a 42-year-old male patient admitted to the hospital with a history of progressive jaundice. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 26 × 33 mm tuberculous mass located at the intersection between the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct, leading to dilation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts on both sides. Initially diagnosed with a Klatskin type II tumor, the patient underwent surgery to remove the mass and create a biliary-enteric anastomosis. However, the pathological report of the postoperative specimens concluded a diagnosis of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation caused by tuberculosis.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to tuberculosis is a rare condition that can be caused due to the tuberculous enlargement of the pancreatic head, tuberculous lymphadenitis, tuberculous biliary strictures, or a tuberculous retroperitoneal mass. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis usually results from hematogenous dissemination or contiguous spread from adjacent organs. Symptoms vary depending on the affected organ but typically include fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is usually secondary to pulmonary or gastrointestinal tuberculosis.

Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a rare disease that affects the liver and bile duct system. It is difficult to diagnose because it does not have any specific symptoms and can be easily misdiagnosed with other diseases.