Choledochal fungal ball. An unusual cause of biliary obstruction.
A 31-year-old patient with sickle-cell disease who had previous cholecystectomy developed acute onset of jaundice and abdominal pain. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated multiple filling defects within the bile ducts. Microscopic examination of "calculi" removed at surgery revealed that a fungal ball composed of Candida was the cause of biliary obstruction in this case. The patient eventually recovered after removal of the fungal masses and intrabiliary instillation of amphotericin.
Ho
F
F
Department of Medicine, Pathology and Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90502.
Snape
W J
WJ
Venegas
R
R
Lechago
J
J
Klein
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis
D000666:Amphotericin B