Cholesterol polyps in the distal common bile duct: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Cholesterol polyps are rare in the common bile duct and difficult to diagnose.


METHODS
The small polypoid lesions often go undetected when using routine imaging methods, such as ultrasonography.


METHODS
We treated a patient with cholesterol polyps in the common bile duct. After failing to detect choleliths using ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed mild dilation of the common bile duct. Choledochoscopy was performed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which revealed yellowish-white polyps circumferentially distributed across the luminal surface of the distal common bile duct. Histological examination of biopsy specimens indicated cholesterol polyps with characteristic foamy cells.


METHODS
The patient was treated with ursodeoxycholic acid, and the number of polyps was found to have been reduced at the 6-week follow-up based on T-tube choledochoscopic examination.


RESULTS
Recovery was unremarkable, and the ursodeoxycholic acid treatment was discontinued at the 6-month follow-up.
Our findings suggest that this rare condition can be treated pharmacologically to avoid potential postsurgical complications following resection of the distal common bile duct.
Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, Tsinghua University Medical Center, Beijing, China.
Rui
R
Tang
Wen-Ping
WP
Zhao
Yan-Ning
YN
Zhang
Xuan
X
Tong
Jian-Ping
JP
Zeng
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
D002784:Cholesterol