Hepatic hilar mass in an adolescent: a rare case of hepatobiliary tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary tuberculosis is a rare manifestation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, especially in younger patients. The non-specific symptoms and signs as well as the lack of definite imaging characteristics often impedes diagnosis. Definite diagnosis of tuberculosiscan be obtained through histopathological examination; conventional anti-tuberculosis drugs and surgery are the most commonly recommended treatments. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 15-year-old rural adolescent male presented with a 2-month history of weight loss and fatigue. We strongly suspected a Klatskin tumor; therefore, exploratory laparotomy was performed. However, the microscopical findings revealed a granuloma consisting of epithelioid cells, caseous necrosis, and lymphocytic infiltration, indicating caseating granulomatous inflammation and yielding a final diagnosis of hepatic hilar tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Hepatic hilar tuberculosis is an extremely rare case; few physicians may have actually treated a case. This report therefore aims to improve the overall understanding of lymphatic tuberculosis of the hepatic hilum.