A Late Diagnosis of Caroli Syndrome

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-2023

Publication Title

American Journal of Gastroenterology

Abstract

Introduction: Existing on a spectrum of congenital biliary cystic diseases, Caroli syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition exhibiting non-obstructive segmental intrahepatic biliary duct dilation concurrent with hepatic fibrosis. We present a patient presenting with abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes diagnosed as CS. Case Description/Methods: A 57-year-old female presents with chronic right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain, nausea, and chills. She has a history of recurrent cholangitis and cholecystectomy. Examination reveals hepatomegaly with mild pain to palpation. Blood cultures are growing Enterococcus faecium. Workup demonstrates elevated alkaline phosphatase (313 IU/ml), gamma-glutamyl transferase (203 IU/L), C-Reactive Protein (85.3 mg/dL), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (120 mm/hr). Total bilirubin is within normal limits (0.2 mg/dL). Wedge liver biopsy revealed congenital hepatic fibrosis with associated bile duct proliferation and obstruction. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed mild liver surface nodularity, multifocal saccular dilatation of the right posterior intrahepatic bile ducts with scattered bilobar biliary stricturing with no dominant stricture (Figure 1A), and several small renal cysts (Figure 1B). Based on imaging, biopsy, and history, the patient was diagnosed with CS. Her Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is 7. Repeat blood cultures were negative and her symptoms improved with antibiotics. Discussion: Although the prevalence ranges from 1 in 1,000,000 to 1 in 100,000, CS should be considered in a patient with recurrent RUQ abdominal pain and cholangitis. Presentation may also be complicated by hepatic abscess and sepsis. Prompt diagnosis is paramount to prevent and monitor for progressive hepatic injury, portal vein thrombosis, cholangiocarcinoma, and renal disease. Those with CS have a 100-fold increased risk of developing malignancy. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease is associated with CS as both conditions are related to a mutation of the PKHD1 gene. MRCP differentiates CS from similar diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The morphology of CS is segmental and saccular whereas that of PSC is isolated and fusiform. Management depends on the degree of hepatic fibrosis and biliary tract involvement. Definitive therapy includes lobular resection in local disease or OLT in diffuse disease with fibrosis. The patient is currently discussing liver transplantation due to CS with cholangitis.

Volume

118

Issue

10S

First Page

S1520

Comments

American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, October 20-25, 2023, Vancouver, Canada

DOI

10.14309/01.ajg.0000958016.55460.bd

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