Right Anterior Sectionectomy for Hepatic Helminthic Infection Mimicking Cholangiocarcinoma: A Case Report

We present the case of a patient with an unexpected pathological finding of degenerate roundworm infection on histology for a liver resection for presumed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Helminthic infection of the liver is uncommon in developed and metropolitan regions and this patient had no risk factors for such. The only potentially risk factor for complications of the infection was the presence of long-term immunosuppression in the setting of Crohn's disease. The imaging, including computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan, was suggestive of a malignant process and thus the patient was consented and brought forward for segments five and eight liver resection. Interestingly the frozen section analysis and formal pathology confirmed a helminthic infection. The patient made an unremarkable recovery and remains well to date. Liver helminth infection mimicking malignancy is rare, however should always be considered as a differential diagnosis for atypical liver imaging findings.