Obstructive jaundice due to radiation-induced hepatic duct stricture

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Medicine
• Radiation Oncology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Postoperative radiation therapy is a common treatment for adrenal carcinoma.
• Hepatobiliary complications are known, though rare, sequelae of radiation exposure.
• Hepatic duct strictures can lead to significant biliary obstruction.

Observation:

• A patient presented with obstructive jaundice seven years after receiving radiation for left adrenal carcinoma.
• Imaging revealed a stricture in the hepatic duct, consistent with radiation-induced injury.
• The patient's clinical presentation and history were key to diagnosing the radiation-induced complication.

Findings:

• Radiation-induced hepatic duct stricture is a delayed complication of abdominal radiotherapy.
• Obstructive jaundice is a primary clinical manifestation of this stricture.
• Management strategies for radiation-induced biliary strictures are crucial for patient outcomes.

Implications:

• This case underscores the need for long-term surveillance of patients treated with abdominal radiation.
• Understanding the pathophysiology of radiation-induced biliary injury can improve diagnostic accuracy.
• Effective management of these strictures is essential to prevent further hepatobiliary damage and improve quality of life.