A metastatic skull tumor from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) originates from the epithelial cells of the secondary branches that are distant from the intrahepatic bile duct. ICC is a rare pathological type of primary liver cancer, with a high malignancy rate and poor prognosis. However, patients with ICC metastasis to the skull are extremely rarely encountered. Herein, we present a case of a metastatic skull tumor from ICC, along with a literature review. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old right-handed man who did not smoke was diagnosed with a poorly differentiated ICC (T2aN0M0) in segment VI of the liver in February 2017. Hepatectomy was performed. The patient then presented with a painful mass in the posterior occipital region with dizziness experienced since 1 month, for which he underwent posterior occipital craniotomy. Postoperative specimens were sent for pathological examination. DIAGNOSES: We diagnosed the patient with a metastatic skull tumor from ICC. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent posterior occipital craniotomy and total resection of the tumor. OUTCOMES: The patient received chemotherapy 1 month after surgery, and after 6 months of follow-up, the patient was alive. LESSONS: ICC often shows metastases to the vertebrae. Therefore, physicians should consider the possibility of metastasis in patients with ICC, especially in those who show a painful skull mass of unknown origin; moreover, among patients with vertebral metastasis, physicians should be very vigilant about an occipital mass. We believe that the craniospinal venous system may be the pathway for occipital metastasis in patients with ICC.