Granular cell tumor of the intrapancreatic common bile duct

A case of granular cell tumor involving the intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct is reported. The tumor was misdiagnosed as a bile duct carcinoma clinically and at surgery. Intraoperative needle biopsy failed to provide a specific diagnosis and led to a pancreatico-duodenectomy. The importance of making a specific frozen section diagnosis and the difficulties associated with this in this setting are presented.