title: Recurrent cholangiocarcinoma in the biliary tree after liver transplantation.
abstract: Four liver transplant recipients with recurrent cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) within the allograft biliary tree are described. One patient received a transplant for known CCA and three received transplants for end-stage primary sclerosing cholangitis, in which CCA was found within the hepatectomy specimen. All four developed biliary obstruction due to malignant stricture at the bile duct anastomosis 9-15 months after transplantation. Diagnosis of recurrent CCA was made by means of transhepatic brush biopsy in two patients. Recognition that the biliary tract, especially the anastomosis, is a site of recurrence of CCA should facilitate prompt diagnosis by means of transhepatic brush biopsy in patients with biliary obstruction due to stricture. In addition, because of an association between CCA and primary sclerosing cholangitis, preoperative bile duct biopsy should be considered for liver transplantation candidates with the latter condition. Positive biopsy findings may preclude transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herbener
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Zajko
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koneru
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bron
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography