Autoimmune cholangitis in a patient with thymoma.
Autoimmune cholangitis is characterized biochemically by chronic cholestasis and histopathologically by chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis. It is associated with positive antinuclear antibody test and negative antimitochondrial antibody test results. Recently, we experienced a case of a 35-year-old woman with autoimmune cholangitis associated with thymoma who presented with pruritus, jaundice, chronic fatigue and anterior chest discomfort. Her laboratory examinations revealed marked increases in levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. In serological tests, antinuclear antibody was found, but antimitochondrial antibody was not. Liver biopsy findings were compatible with chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis. On computed tomography (CT) of the chest, a large anterior mediastinal mass was found. The mass was totally resected and the patient was treated with ursodeoxy cholic acid. Thereafter, her clinical symptoms improved and liver functions completely returned to the normal range. We describe here an uncommon association of autoimmune cholangitis with thymoma, which has not been reported previously in the English-written literature.
Kim
Jang-Ha
JH
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Byung-Ho
BH
Kim
Youn-Wha
YW
Park
Joo-Cheol
JC
Jung
Yong Hee
YH
Lee
Byoung Ook
BO
Han
Yo Seb
YS
Dong
Seok Ho
SH
Kim
Hyo Jong
HJ
Chang
Young-Woon
YW
Lee
Joung Il
JI
Chang
Rin
R
D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy