Granular cell tumor of the common bile duct. Contribution of endoscopic ultrasonography in 2 cases
Aubert, A.; Palazzo, L.; Meduri, B.; Lasser, P.; Chiche, R.; De Baecque, C.
Gastroenterologie Clinique et Biologique 23(10): 1090-1093
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0399-8320 PMID: 10592882 Document Number: 502393
We report two cases of granular cell tumors involving the common bile duct in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice. Pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonography showed short asymmetric stricture with small well delimited hypoechoic mass in the distal common bile duct wall and proximal dilatation. These tumors were misdiagnosed as a bile duct carcinoma in one case and biliary metastasis of a melanoma in the other. Histological examination of the resected specimen showed granular cell tumors. A review of the previously reported cases shows that preoperative diagnosis is uncommon. It should be considered when endoscopic ultrasonography performed for biliary obstruction in a young woman shows a small and well limited hypoechoic mass.